Freelander conversion

Ddo not know if anybody can help me with the following questions:

1) Does one have to pay some tax / VAT to the DVLA when converting a commercial van to a car or its just doing the conversion and informing the DVLA and insurance?

2) Anybody knows of somebody which sells the conversion kits (ie. seats, windows, etc.)?

3) Do you need to take the car to somebody knowledgable on conversions to do the conversion?

Thanks to all in advance,

The Maltese Landrover in UK

1) Does one have to pay some tax / VAT to the DVLA when converting a commercial van to a car or its just doing the conversion and informing the DVLA and insurance?
You will definitely need to inform your insurance company. Any mod should be reported to them to avoid possibility of claims/cover being rejected. Don't think you have to inform DVLA but a simple phone call to them should answer it!!

2) Anybody knows of somebody which sells the conversion kits (ie. seats, windows, etc.)?
Not seen a kit but most the parts you would need are knocking about on the various LR parts websites and eBay.

3) Do you need to take the car to somebody knowledgable on conversions to do the conversion?
TBH I wouldn't bother. Surely much easier to sell your FL van and buy a standard FL instead?

Cheers

Rog

vannigo said:

1) Does one have to pay some tax / VAT to the DVLA when converting a commercial van to a car or its just doing the conversion and informing the DVLA and insurance?

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the VAT issue depends on whether the person selling it to you included VAT in the sale. Generally, once VAT has been reclaimed, it has to be added on to the next sale. However, once the vehicle gets a little older, and its value decreases, so does the level of VAT until it's low enough for the seller to "lose"

DVLA will definitely have to be told as the taxation class will change from Light Goods to Private, and the number of seats shown on the V5 will be wrong.

It's not that hard to do, but I would think your insurers will ask for an inspection of the seats and seatbelts. Don't even think of not telling them; if anyone is injured in the back of your vehicle, even if it's not your fault, they will walk away, leaving you personally liable.

As rriggs said, probably better all round to sell it and buy what you want.

wigleytuff said:

However, once the vehicle gets a little older, and its value decreases, so does the level of VAT until it's low enough for the seller to "lose"

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could you explain this a bit more please, or point me in the direction of where you read this please ?

or is a variable rate of VAT something that was introduced in todays Queens waffle ?

When, as a VAT registered business, you buy a vehicle, you pay VAT on the purchase, which you can then claim back, as a legitimite business expense. If you have claimed the VAT back, you then have to add VAT on when you sell the vehicle on. (which is why commerical vehicles always have their price shown as £*** plus VAT).

However, there comes a point where a purchaser doesn't claim the VAT back, as either it's not worthwhile, or they're not VAT registered. Once that happens, the VAT has been paid on the vehicle and no longer attracts VAT when being sold.

Eg, when I as an individual buy a van from a trader. He has to add VAT to the sale, as it has previously been claimed back. Crucially, as an individual, I can't claim the VAT back, (not VAT registered). So when I sell the vehicle, it's price is as is, with no VAT payable. Then the next owner, who hasn't paid VAT when buying it, can't claim it back, and doesn't charge it when he sells it.

If you're lucky (like when I bought my Freelander Commercial), the VAT has already been paid, so it works out cheaper as an individual.

Hope that helps

wht not sell it and buy a car, vans seem to hold their price more than the cars for some reason

The parts are a straight swap, easy enough to do

All the holes are in place for seats, seatbelts, trim brackets etc.

My advice would be to strip one from a salvage yard with fittings, carpets, trim and all, go for the 60:40 split seats.

The blanked metal windows are tricky to remove due to the mastic bond, easy when you know how You'll need the correct primer and sealer to bond the rear 1/4 panel windows, Beta seal from LR dealers or something similar from autoglaziers.

There is a test for kit cars and heavily modified cars to be deemed road legal its about £200 in the UK.

As far as I know the DVLA would only check the functioning of the seat belts, there are no other safety issues.

They do this in an MOT anyway.

Not sure about the VAT issue