300 tdi hard top tax class and body type changes

Hi

I just bought a 'lower mileage' 1994 300tdi 90 (hard top, 3 seater) on a galv chassis. Tried getting some insurance quotes and it seems to be registered as a hard top van, and i'm getting redirected for van insurance. My last 300tdi 90, a pickup (1996) was private/light goods and insured on a regular policy. If i understand it correctly, i can change the body type, tax class and number of seats when i buy and tax the car. I'm thinking to swap it to private/light goods and 7 seats. I am unsure of what the body type is on the documents, but the insurers called it a hard top van.

Anyhow, these are my reasons to change tax class:

• Insurance and tax costs are about the same
• Van policies seem to have their own NCB separate from standard polices that don't transfer
• Some van policies seem to restrict number of seats allowed below 7
  
• With the commercial tax class i have reduced speed limits

My initial questions:

• I presume it's as simple as turn up at the post office and get tax class changed immediately while being taxed? Or do the DVLA need to inspect?
• What are the allowed 'body types' on the v5 for a hard top?
• Would i need to change body type from 'van' (assuming it is 'van') to 'light 4x4 utility' if i swap from commercial taxation? Would this process require an inspection?

Further advice on the process would be great, especially if i am misinformed... I'm hoping to avoid inspections just yet on the off chance they notice the replacement chassis ain't stamped or something.

Sorry for all the questions and cheers for reading

i would also be interested to hear peoples opinions on this,, i hadnt even considered the implications of tax class etc when changing body type, dont even know what mine is oficially. In my experiance nothing involving the DVLA is simple or easy,

So are you saying you didn't check the chassis number matched the V5 when purchasing? Or the chassis hasn't been stamped?

If the chassis isn't stamped did the seller provide the original chassis leg with the chassis number stamped on it?

The chassis number can be used to discover what the vehicle originally was, there are sites available to help you desipher the chassis number which will tell you the body style engine, transmission, and all sorts of things.

Mine is a soft top apparently. Land Rover Defender registration info and classifications are a complex issue and often bare little relationship to the vehicle.

Ninky. I'm saying i'm concerned with the current taxation class and body type. Not chassis number, that is not a problem, neither is what it was at first registration. Not sure why your on about my chassis being stamped? That's only a concern in the context of needing an inspection for the body change.

Waldershelf, did you change yours to hard top or just leave the body type alone? Any probs so far?

Well it turns out to be very simple, spoke to the dvla.

Tax class can be changed from commercial easily at the post office by applying for the change at the same time as taxing.
Hard top defenders, whether van or otherwise, should all be 'light 4x4 utility' body type, at least for this age vehicle. If incorrect it's allegedly as simple as filling out the v5 section and sending it off.
Changing to 7 seats is no problem, again just fill out and send the relevant part of the v5 after the changes are made.

Interestingly, the DVLA agent said my tax class is 'private/light goods' and body type is 'light 4x4 utility; nothing anywhere to indicate it's a commercial or a van. In other words, it appears the insurers are trying to push me into the sale of commercial van insurance where it is not really needed or appropriate.

Anyone got a good insurer that won't try and mis-sell me van insurance?

Thing is, you taxation isn't going to change anyway, it's 1994 it will be the standard over over 1549cc engine - £235 a year.

I know the cost would have been the same, i wanted it as PLG for other reasons (to avoid needing commercial insurance and having speed restrictions).

blisco said:

• Insurance and tax costs are about the same
• Van policies seem to have their own NCB separate from standard polices that don't transfer
• Some van policies seem to restrict number of seats allowed below 7
  
• With the commercial tax class i have reduced speed limits

Click to expand...

I insured mine with er..... er.... Adrian flux? maybe? they have someone on here, start a new thread about wanting insurance and they usually pop up, I declared all mods and it was still only around 3-400 a year at 24-25 now im 26 and still with them however im sure its a little more than it was the first year I need to tell them to drop it or stick it next time my renewal comes about however they do give you a landyzone discount. ill have a look through my messages to see if I an find the username

oddly enough their username is Adrian flux.... ffs.... Chap called Jordan sorted me a call back, on their sig they have this quote:

To take advantage of the club insurance scheme call the dedicated Landyzone.co.uk quotation line at Adrian Flux on 0800 1217431 for your quotation. Lines are open 9.00 am to 7.00 pm Monday to Friday. 9.00am – 4.00pm Saturday.