Ins And outs ofconverting SUV to commercial

[Baker9]

I am toying with the idea of buying a SWB Landcruiser suv or similar and making it a commercial. Remove the rear seats and blank the side windows. The problem how to change the tax class from car to commercial. I cannot find any information on this.
Can this be done and if so, how? Has anyone here ever done this?

 

[quavers]

you will have to board out the foot wells , remove the seat belts and fit a bulk head between the front seats and rear cargo area , take pictures and send a covering letter with the correct paper work which you will get from the post office for change of use . In your letter explain what you do and what the in tended use of the motor . send it off to the dvla .

 

[Lincsman]

What would you gain? , wont the tax disc cost more?

 

[whiteford]

Your insurance will go through the roof and you'll also limit your choice of insurers. I wouldn't bother.

 

[Nearly]

Insurance should drop.

Road tax could drop.

Can run vehicle 100% through business.

All repairs allowable against tax, vat back etc.

Going to do one of my D2 over winter and all parts will be allowable.

Claiming mileage at 45ppm is not enough when fuel is costing 20ppm. I'm running one for work and one for private anyway.

 

[A1an]

Will you fall under speed limit restrictions?

 

[sawdust]

Claiming mileage at 45ppm is not enough when fuel is costing 20ppm. I'm running one for work and one for private anyway.

I worked out I needed to charge 65ppm with my pickup, so to soften the blow to customers charge 35ppm or 40ppm pulling the trailer plus hourly rate, which they all seem happy with so far.

 

[TripleSix]

Will you fall under speed limit restrictions?

No because it's a 4x4 - hence a dual purpose vehicle

 

[Lincsman]

No because it's a 4x4 - hence a dual purpose vehicle

So is a big ranger, and it does.

 

[ollie989898]

Will you fall under speed limit restrictions?

Yes but depends on payload I think from memory?

 

[Nearly]

Dual purpose vehicles
A dual purpose vehicle is a vehicle constructed or adapted for the carriage both of passengers and of goods and designed to weigh no more than 2,040 kg when unladen, and is either:

• constructed or adapted so that the driving power of the engine is, or can be selected to be, transmitted to all wheels of the vehicle

or

• permanently fitted with a rigid roof, at least one row of transverse passenger seats to the rear of the driver’s seat and will have side and rear windows - there must also be a minimum ratio between the size of passenger and stowage areas

See The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (Part 1 Regulation 3) for the full definition.

D2 would struggle to get under 2040 kg with the back seats taken out.

If you've still to buy the vehicle then make life easier and buy a commercial to begin with?

 

[Wellytrack]

I am toying with the idea of buying a SWB Landcruiser suv or similar and making it a commercial. Remove the rear seats and blank the side windows. The problem how to change the tax class from car to commercial. I cannot find any information on this.
Can this be done and if so, how? Has anyone here ever done this?

Common sight those vehicles in the South as you probably already know, someone converting them already could handle it?

 

[Wellytrack]

Dungannon @Baker9

http://www.conversionspecialists.com/

 

[Baker9]

What would you gain? , wont the tax disc cost more?

Tax for passenger 07 Shogun is £555, for commercial is £260. I have my present old Ranger insured as Farm vehicle as part of farm vehicle insurance so intend to do the same again.

 

[Baker9]

Dungannon @Baker9

http://www.conversionspecialists.com/

Thanks

 

[roscoe erf]

Insurance should drop.

Road tax could drop.

Can run vehicle 100% through business.

All repairs allowable against tax, vat back etc.

Going to do one of my D2 over winter and all parts will be allowable.

Claiming mileage at 45ppm is not enough when fuel is costing 20ppm. I'm running one for work and one for private anyway.

View attachment 832609

do you need any parts I am breaking a commercial d2

 

[Nearly]

do you need any parts I am breaking a commercial d2

Log book?

 

[roscoe erf]

Log book?

yep

 

[Nearly]

Log book?

yep

No, only joking.
I have one myself for spares.
Trying not to acquire any more parts / complete d2's.

 

[MOG]

I am pretty sure from loads of similar posts on Land Rover and VW forums I follow that it is NOT possible to change the taxation class once it has left the factory. You can change the body type and the gross train weights and engine type etc. But the class will remain the same for taxation purposes. I will be happy to be corrected.