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Converting a car to a commercial

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  • 13-07-2011 9:26pm
    #1
    DarrenCroker
    Registered Users Posts: 163 ✭✭


    Hello,
    Im wondering if its ok to convert an 01 mercedes e320cdi to a commercial? Its a 7 seater estate. Im thinking of buying the merc and convert it to a van,is it against the law or anything?


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    #2
    Eric Cartman
    Registered Users Posts: 26,282 ✭✭✭✭Eric Cartman


    if it hasnt had vrt paid on it yet, youll be paying the full 36% on it , if its already on irish plates you can convert it but you have to destroy all the mounts for seatbelts etc so it cant be converted back


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    #3
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users Posts: 73,388 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    You may have trouble taxing it if you're not using it for business


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    #4
    bazz26
    Registered Users Posts: 51,147 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    colm_mcm wrote: »
    You may have trouble taxing it if you're not using it for business

    Yes if the OP is converting it just for cheap tax but doesn't have a VAT number then forget it.


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    #5
    dev100
    Registered Users Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭dev100


    bazz26 wrote: »
    Yes if the OP is converting it just for cheap tax but doesn't have a VAT number then forget it.


    Depends what county Op is in... Some county councils are happy to take your money for commerical tax with no fuss. Other CC s want you bring the kitchen sink in for proof....

    Most CC s are making you tax it as a private based on old tax system and not on the current emissions based tax system and you will still have to get it doe d every year....


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    #6
    DarrenCroker
    Registered Users Posts: 163 ✭✭DarrenCroker


    Its already on irish plates and im a mechanic so it will be used for business. Would i be able to keep the seats and use it as a crew-cab no? And how much space do you need to have it as a commercial? I currently have an 06 mercedes vito 115cdi but the e class is a better spec with a bigger engine so i would be selling the vito.


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    #7
    Eric Cartman
    Registered Users Posts: 26,282 ✭✭✭✭Eric Cartman


    DarrenCroker wrote: »
    Its already on irish plates and im a mechanic so it will be used for business. Would i be able to keep the seats and use it as a crew-cab no? And how much space do you need to have it as a commercial? I currently have an 06 mercedes vito 115cdi but the e class is a better spec with a bigger engine so i would be selling the vito.

    you wont keep one of them as a crewcab , you cant convert anything to a crewcab anymore , has to come from factory like that


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    #8
    DarrenCroker
    Registered Users Posts: 163 ✭✭DarrenCroker


    Eric Cartman wrote: »
    you wont keep one of them as a crewcab , you cant convert anything to a crewcab anymore , has to come from factory like that


    Ah i see thanks.


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    #9
    GTDolanator
    Registered Users Posts: 772 ✭✭✭GTDolanator


    DarrenCroker wrote: »
    Its already on irish plates and im a mechanic so it will be used for business. Would i be able to keep the seats and use it as a crew-cab no? And how much space do you need to have it as a commercial? I currently have an 06 mercedes vito 115cdi but the e class is a better spec with a bigger engine so i would be selling the vito.


    rip the 320 out and bang her in the vito.That'l shift then


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    #10
    DarrenCroker
    Registered Users Posts: 163 ✭✭DarrenCroker


    GTDolanator wrote: »
    rip the 320 out and bang her in the vito.That'l shift then

    Haha the e320 has cruise control,full leather,air con and everything id rathet go to work in luxury :P


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    #11
    corktina
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    DarrenCroker wrote: »
    Its already on irish plates and im a mechanic so it will be used for business. Would i be able to keep the seats and use it as a crew-cab no? And how much space do you need to have it as a commercial? I currently have an 06 mercedes vito 115cdi but the e class is a better spec with a bigger engine so i would be selling the vito.

    SOLELY for business use you understand.


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    #12
    bijapos
    Registered Users Posts: 3,003 ✭✭✭bijapos


    bazz26 wrote: »
    Yes if the OP is converting it just for cheap tax but doesn't have a VAT number then forget it.

    You dont need a VAT number, a sole trader/company registration number is enough. You should bring proof of this registration.
    DarrenCroker wrote: »
    Would i be able to keep the seats and use it as a crew-cab no?

    Yes, but it must be done properly, I had a Landcruiser which was retro converted into a crew cab and had €288 tax. I bought it converted, it was done by EVM in Kilbeggan iirc.
    corktina wrote: »
    SOLELY for business use you understand.

    No, it can be used privately as well along with business use.


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    #13
    DarrenCroker
    Registered Users Posts: 163 ✭✭DarrenCroker


    bijapos wrote: »
    You dont need a VAT number, a sole trader/company registration number is enough. You should bring proof of this registration.



    Yes, but it must be done properly, I had a Landcruiser which was retro converted into a crew cab and had €288 tax. I bought it converted, it was done by EVM in Kilbeggan iirc.


    So i wouldn't be able to do it myself?


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    #14
    bijapos
    Registered Users Posts: 3,003 ✭✭✭bijapos


    You can do it yourself, I've just no idea of the spec involved, though some office should have it. Technically it shouldn't be too difficult.


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    #15
    corktina
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    bijapos wrote: »
    No, it can be used privately as well along with business use.

    no it cant. Simple as. You are only allowed use a commercially taxed vehicle for commercial purposes.


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    #16
    drunkmonkey
    Registered Users Posts: 28,119 ✭✭✭✭drunkmonkey


    corktina wrote: »
    no it cant. Simple as. You are only allowed use a commercial for commercial purposes.

    I've kind of missed this, if i wanted to get a commercial again for the business I would still have to keep my private car as I can't use the business vehicle for private use??.
    I have vat numbers, x amount of employees etc. I was just thinking of changing the car to a commercial jeep. I don't need 2 vehicles.


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    #17
    corktina
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    You never have been allowed to use it privately...its just that they are starting to enforce it now.

    see declartion form here.

    http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/MotorTax/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,23874,en.pdf


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    #18
    DarrenCroker
    Registered Users Posts: 163 ✭✭DarrenCroker


    drunkmonkey wrote: »
    I've kind of missed this, if i wanted to get a commercial again for the business I would still have to keep my private car as I can't use the business vehicle for private use??.
    I have vat numbers, x amount of employees etc. I was just thinking of changing the car to a commercial jeep. I don't need 2 vehicles.

    You'd be able to get rid of the car and get a commercial jeep and use it for business and private use as far as i know


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    #19
    Gophur
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,921 ✭✭✭Gophur


    corktina wrote: »
    no it cant. Simple as. You are only allowed use a commercial for commercial purposes.

    Not true.

    The following, however, is the case
    You are only allowed use a commercial for commercial purposes, if it is taxed commercially. Tax the vehicle privately then you can use it for commercial and private purposes.


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    #20
    drunkmonkey
    Registered Users Posts: 28,119 ✭✭✭✭drunkmonkey


    Ah so I was always breaking the law when I had a commercial then. The only difference is somebody might try and pull me on it now.
    It seems a bit daft that I have to park up a commercial after work and use a different vehicle. As I said I don't need 2 cars and to ask anyone in business to have 2 just for the sake of going somewhere outside of work is daft, Are they actually enforcing this law or is it just another one for the sake of it.

    I don't know how they could prove you weren't working anyway, I always have things in the boot work related.


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    #21
    corktina
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    Gophur wrote: »
    Not true.

    The following, however, is the case

    If its not taxed as a commercial its not a commercial. Therefore what I said iss correct, but to satuisfy the pedant in you I'll edit it.


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    #22
    corktina
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    DarrenCroker wrote: »
    You'd be able to get rid of the car and get a commercial jeep and use it for business and private use as far as i know

    no ive already shown that you cant legally do that.


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    #23
    corktina
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    drunkmonkey wrote: »
    Ah so I was always breaking the law when I had a commercial then. The only difference is somebody might try and pull me on it now.
    It seems a bit daft that I have to park up a commercial after work and use a different vehicle. As I said I don't need 2 cars and to ask anyone in business to have 2 just for the sake of going somewhere outside of work is daft, Are they actually enforcing this law or is it just another one for the sake of it.

    I don't know how they could prove you weren't working anyway, I always have things in the boot work related.

    "I’m going to buy a boat… do a little travelling, and I’m going to be drinking beer " you need Nautical tax on that, and you cant use ti for watersking if you do....and of course the beer is out too


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    #24
    aujopimur
    Registered Users Posts: 3,953 ✭✭✭aujopimur


    Remove rear seats.
    Remove rear seat belts.
    Plug seat belt anchor holes with plastic putty.
    Fit floor.
    DOE.
    Tax.
    Drive on.


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    #25
    dharn
    Registered Users Posts: 2,574 ✭✭✭dharn


    corktina wrote: »
    no it cant. Simple as. You are only allowed use a commercially taxed vehicle for commercial purposes.

    strictly speaking the above is correct but it depends on enforcement the converted merc could look a bit dodgy because it is unusual and might run in to trouble


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