VW kombi van

[paul&mandy]

Been toying with this for a while. Going to run it past accountant.
If I swap a pickup for this could I claim back all the vat and tax same as if I bought a new pickup? I don't really need 2 pickups and ideally need to seat 6.
For anyone who dont know what a kombi is, it's a transporter with sliding side door, windows partly in back with seats then at the very back it's a panel van.

 

[Bullring]

My thoughts are you wouldn’t be able to reclaim the vat, it is not a very big space behind the rear seats and as such it’s not really Commercial vehicle , it won’t carry a ton in weight which is what HMRC look out for. I’m not saying you can’t as plenty probably do which is fine till they catch up with you.

 

[B R C]

I think some versions do carry over a tonne so the answer would be yes, plenty of businesses using them and I would wager they are claiming vat and against tax.

 

[Johnnyboxer]

Google Coca Cola v HMRC case (lots of information on WWW)

Here’s one report

HMRC issues reminder on car v van classification | The Association of Taxation Technicians

The question of whether something is a car or a van for tax purposes is for many vehicles a fairly straightforward one.

www.att.org.uk

It will tell you all need to know about tax, vat and BiK for Kombi/Crew Cab vans

May I suggest that you look at Mercedes (Sprinter/Vito) Renault CrewCab vans too, much better specifications for passenger carrying

VW Transporters are trendy and carry their very own ‘scene tax’ !!!

 

[paul&mandy]

Google Coca Cola v HMRC case (lots of information on WWW)

Here’s one report

HMRC issues reminder on car v van classification | The Association of Taxation Technicians

The question of whether something is a car or a van for tax purposes is for many vehicles a fairly straightforward one.

www.att.org.uk

It will tell you all need to know about tax, vat and BiK for Kombi/Crew Cab vans

May I suggest that you look at Mercedes (Sprinter/Vito) Renault CrewCab vans too, much better specifications for passenger carrying

VW Transporters are trendy and carry their very own ‘scene tax’ !!!

After reading that it's a no go. Is it that I need to find 1 that carries over a ton like my pickup does if they exist in van form.

 

[Superted820]

I have a 17 plate ford transit custom. 3 seats in the front. 3 in the back. Towbar and carries a good load in the back. Vat claimed back. Chuffed to bits with it.

 

[idgni]

After reading that it's a no go. Is it that I need to find 1 that carries over a ton like my pickup does if they exist in van form.

That is only to do with “benefit in kind “ not VAT
Crew cabs are vat eligible as they can carry over 1 ton , remember the rear seats are removable!

 

[PSQ]

May I suggest that you look at Mercedes (Sprinter/Vito) Renault CrewCab vans too, much better specifications for passenger carrying

VW Transporters are trendy and carry their very own ‘scene tax’ !!!

Avoid the VW Transporter at all costs, as they have an extremely poor reputation for reliability.

I know a few tradesmen and delivery drivers who have had them, but not one of them has a good word to say, and they have all been replaced by other makes.

 

[How much]

yes you can reclaim the vat on them , I ve had 3 they are as reliable as any other vehicle , you can get them with 6 seats 3 front 3 mid but the two seat front option is much more comfortable .
Price wise they are not cheap, but compared to but they do have good residuals. You can remove the rear seats they are quick release , and take out all , one or the pair. They come in two wheelbase lengths long and short about 300mm between them with the rear seats out its pretty much a standard van.
I don't think you can order new ones however , last time i spoke to the local dealer VW where not taking any new orders but there is probably still some new stuff coming through that was pre ordered

 

[ollandroverman]

That is only to do with “benefit in kind “ not VAT

Exactly. Depending on your business structure, you could end up paying Company Car Tax at fairly strong rates

 

[SilliamWhale]

If you want a top class vehicle that carries 6-8 you need to copy me and get a Toyota Alphard from Japan.

£8k gets you a lovely one, mine was 2006 but looked brand new and had done 40k miles. Not a works vehicle, but comfortable, better reliability than VW. Drawbacks are petrol only and not v fuel efficient

I like to keep my farm vehicle and off farm vehicle separate though.

 

[pettsy]

Avoid the VW Transporter at all costs, as they have an extremely poor reputation for reliability.

I know a few tradesmen and delivery drivers who have had them, but not one of them has a good word to say, and they have all been replaced by other makes.

They’re no different to any vehicle, you get good and bad ones. I bought one at 3 years old, and ran it for 5 years. Had no issues, just normal servicing and a set of tyres. Sold it for more than I bought it for

 

[Lakesdigger]

If you're at all bothered about the comfort of those in the rear seats vw is far superior being independent coil suspension at the back instead of all the other leaf sprung makes.

 

[ollandroverman]

If you're at all bothered about the comfort of those in the rear seats vw is far superior being independent coil suspension at the back instead of all the other leaf sprung makes.

AHH, that's why they are so crap at carrying weight!
Just a golf with a big boot!

 

[kiwi pom]

I know it's all about not paying tax and claiming everything but if the vehicle is right for your needs, why not just buy it and run it?
I realise it will cost a bit more but might be better than the ute long term?

 

[Johnnyboxer]

If you're at all bothered about the comfort of those in the rear seats vw is far superior being independent coil suspension at the back instead of all the other leaf sprung makes.

Most vans are independent coil springs all round ….nowadays
Toyota/Vauxhall/Peugeot/Citroen/Fiat - Stellentis group products
Renault/Nissan
VW
Ford
Mercedes Vito
All the above are the same in terms of comfort and very few leaf springs left, except Sprinter/MAN Vans and Iveco that do

 

[Johnnyboxer]

AHH, that's why they are so crap at carrying weight!
Just a golf with a big boot!

Some are based on MPV’s

 

[Lakesdigger]

Most vans are independent coil springs all round ….nowadays
Toyota/Vauxhall/Peugeot/Citroen/Fiat - Stellentis group products
Renault/Nissan
VW
Ford
Mercedes Vito
All the above are the same in terms of comfort and very few leaf springs left, except Sprinter/MAN Vans and Iveco that do

Not all in the transporter size van transit customs are leafs and i pity anyone in the back seats after being in brother in laws.

 

[Lakesdigger]

AHH, that's why they are so crap at carrying weight!
Just a golf with a big boot!

Depends if you buy the right weight van or make sure they have the right springs buy tbh no vans are made to be loaded just through the back doors might not look as bad with leafs but that's about it.

 

[ollandroverman]

Not all in the transporter size van transit customs are leafs and i pity anyone in the back seats after being in brother in laws.

Old model Transit Custom, yes
New model has changed.