Converting a Car into a Van for tax reasons ???

[mattcony]

Does anyone know if its possible to convert for example, a Mondeo estate into a van in terms of registration.

I’m sure I remember someone telling me if you blanked out the all the rear windows so you could not see out you had to declare it as a van due to the lack of visibility.

My thinking is a new Mondeo estate, have all the side windows )except the front doors of cause) covered in paint matching tint with no transparency to it. Remove the rear seats and wood out the floor in the back to make 1 big load space like a van, and have the vehicle re registered as a van.

Would it have to go for some kind of vehicle inspection ?

The reason for doing this is tax, I currently have a newish Astra van with all the toys that were available, AC, electric everything ect and its nice but I live on the motorway with it and would like to upgrade to something a little more long distance suitable to make the miles more pleasant but there isn’t anything available in van form at all.

I’m not paying silly money a month for a company car when I have no need for one as I use the R as my personal drive, the van is for work use only.

Anyone know anything ???

Cheers

Matt

[neilp]

If only it was that simple, we'd all be driving around in black estates with tinted glass and loads of extra dosh in our pockets.......

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM23021.htm

As it's down to construction then I'd say a mondeo is a car for tax purposes. where it's a little more borderline ie Car derived vans then there's a definative list

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPorta...tyType=document

[mattcony]

Thanks for that info, if anything that paper EIM23021 says it can be done, as I would be rendering the vehicle useless for carrying more than 1 passanger by removal of all the rear furniture and to allow the carriage of goods or burden to take place.

Vat would have to be payed on the vehicle in car form as this is classed from when its 1st registered, but tax is calculated per relevant tax year.

Its would be a proper conversion not just some tints and fold the seats, wood it out, and cage up the windows, a caged bulkhead behind the drivers seats, like i have in the Astra to make the rear secure for carrying my kit.

Wonder if I can call a test center and speak to someone about it at a DVLA office ?

Cheers

matt

[neilp]

You can make an enquiry by following this;

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM22725.htm

but I know people who have tried and failed, and they we're trying to re-classify a vehicle that had a manufactures equivelant ie Landrover Discovery, seats removed, side windows removed and replaced with metal inserts, IR wouldn't classify as a Discovery Commercial.

[mattcony]

Hey your good at this stuff arn't you, i coundn't find much on google

time to draw up some plans and write a letter,

cheers

matt

[drpellypo]

How much would it cost to do all that though? Less than the difference you pay in tax?

[Calm Chris]

Why not convert an Audi RS avant??

Matt, Could you not run an estate car as a pool car, telling the IR that you collect it and return it to the Companies car pound each day.

This would mean:-

IR can't suggest your getting personal use out of the car because it's firms business only.

Because it's a pool car, and not allocated to you personally, it avoids car tax?

Other alternative would be to run a car via PCP (with payment offset from your Company) and then claim the tax free 40p & 25p per mile from the Company?

[mccombie_5]

Interesting thread actually. I believe there is a rule abotu the seat mountings in the rear must be removed, although I dont know if thats an official rule.

I had a 1995 Isuzu Trooper Commerical and it IS possible to make that car a normal 4x4 by putting glass and seats in, but thats an older car.

[mattcony]

[ QUOTE ]

How much would it cost to do all that though? Less than the difference you pay in tax?

[/ QUOTE ]

Company would be paying for the mod's doing, so not out of my pocket

A4 Avant would be nice yer, will have too see how far the funds will stretch

Pool car is not a bad idea ill look into that one as well, also may consider the personal car route as well charging per mile and see if that way will work out then I could just keep it as an estate and fold the seats down.

cheers

matt