90 County Conversion - Tax class?

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The Gribbin

The Gribbin

Active Member
Posts
336
Location
Gloucestershire
Thinking of converting my 90 commercial to a County Station Wagon... rear windows, seats etc...

Currently registered as Light Goods so cheaper road tax... has anyone done this?... did you change tax class?...

What was the response from your insurance company - increase in premium? - noticed the likes of Admiral/on-line jobbies prefer station wagons, don't like commercials.

I have fitted some bench seats for the dogs... no seat belts... how legal is this:confused:

I did do a search, but no specific response on this mod - apologies in advance if my searching was below par!!
 
The Gribbin said:
Paying about £200 for the year tax.... is it true that you pay £400+ for a station wagon!?
Click to expand...

Depends on the age. I think if its brand new it will fall into the highest tax class (done on CO2 emissions) anything bigger than a tuck tuck is classed as the biggest class.

If its older then thats not true, a SW will still be classified under LGV (same class as any car 1.5 Liter engine +). My 1987 Defender, 1996 3.2 Jag, 1996 2.5TD Jeep and 1998 4.6 Range Rover have all been in this class so its definitly nice and simple!
 
I was lead to believe by a Landrover salesman (!!!!) that its the chassis that is registered with the DVLA and that conversions didnt matter one jot. However it would be quite possible he was just trying to make a sale!
 
Using that logic all Landrovers (on a Defender chassis) could/should be registered in the cheaper Light Commercial tax class... not the PLG class... wishful thinking?!

I guess you can do what you like... but for sure when 'the wheels come off' and it all goes wrong your insurance company will have a get-out leaving you to foot the bill...

I've also seen the police pulling cars in at random, and giving them the once over with DVLA/Customs & Excise all in on the act - give them a chance and they'll crush your pride and joy...

Hence my concern... is honesty the best policy?

I think I'll keep an eye on this thread, and keep my van sides intact for the time being...

Cheers
 
I dont think its as easy as just making the changes purely because of the hassle I had getting TFL to recognise my CSW was not a commercial for LEZ purposes.
I was lucky that the original bill of sale specifically stated CSW which is why the DVLA agreed to change my motor from "light utility" to "estate" (they dont have a category for station wagon). Now I wont have to pay any LEZ charges and my road tax was/is £210 per year.
 
Tax class is determined by type approval class at first registration by the manufacturer/dealer/importer. I think its possible to change it though, I've seen evidence where someone's done it the other way round - reregistering a car as a van once they'd removed the back seats and fitted panels instead of windows. Unsure if it was post-2001 though.
 
How do I check what the DVLA "think" my current model is then?

I have a truck cab but the washer pump and wiper switch would suggest it was once a van or CSW. I have NEVER told insurance anything other than the reg!!! I am worried now!
 
The obvious thing would be to look on your V5 and tax disc, since they contain the details.
 
Ah yes! Currently says 4x4 light utility. Does that mean its a panel van or truck cab or could it be either?

So what do I have to fit to make it necessary to tell DVLA?

I am putting roof and sides on soon with NON sliding windows on, does this become NON utlity?
 
I just phoned DVLA and they said it makes no difference at all, as mine is a 1996 vehicle (pre April 2001) adding roof, sides and seats makes no difference! Simples.....:)
 
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