[jamesbil]

any one know what the new regs coming in on 29April re conversions needing to be done by a workshop are?
or where to find them?

[Buford T Justice]

All you need to know is here

You can still build your own, but it needs to be certified by an NSAI registered garage.

[jamesbil]

This is where I got the 29 April date; http://bluetdi.blogspot.com/2011/06/...an-status.html

[brian_m]

Hi Guys,

I am toying withe the idea of a camper/day van for my mountain bike excursions. From reading the other threads I have gained a lot of useful knowledge but am still a bit unclear on a few items. A Mazda Bongo would be ideal size wise but they are a bit on the expensive side for what I want and seem quite hard to come by outside the UK. Another suitable vehicle on my radar is a MKII Nissan Serena/Elgranda people carrier. They seem to be priced reasonable and look like they would carry a bit more comfort than a panel van.. What I want is a diesel engine, a rock and roll bed, probably a fridge and a sink set up with a hose to run outside for a quick wash down of the bikes. I am not that bothered with cooking tbh but willing to install a cooking set up to come around reclassification terms. I am confident in carrying out the work myself.

1. My understanding is that the 1.8m rule no longer applies for VRT classification so I am good to go on that front but it may be a motor tax issue depending on who I meet/which tax office I go to?

2. As a Serena is already classed as a private car I would not have any additional VRT liability to pay when its is classed as a camper?

3. Does anyone have any experience of what the storage space stipulation consists of..? As space in a Serena is limited enough I was thinking one or two small cupboards or a roof box for my conversion?

any help appreciated

[spaceHopper]

There is a nice but old VW day van on done deal at the moment.

[stevire]

Originally Posted by brian_m

Hi Guys,

I am toying withe the idea of a camper/day van for my mountain bike excursions. From reading the other threads I have gained a lot of useful knowledge but am still a bit unclear on a few items. A Mazda Bongo would be ideal size wise but they are a bit on the expensive side for what I want and seem quite hard to come by outside the UK. Another suitable vehicle on my radar is a MKII Nissan Serena/Elgranda people carrier. They seem to be priced reasonable and look like they would carry a bit more comfort than a panel van.. What I want is a diesel engine, a rock and roll bed, probably a fridge and a sink set up with a hose to run outside for a quick wash down of the bikes. I am not that bothered with cooking tbh but willing to install a cooking set up to come around reclassification terms. I am confident in carrying out the work myself.

1. My understanding is that the 1.8m rule no longer applies for VRT classification so I am good to go on that front but it may be a motor tax issue depending on who I meet/which tax office I go to?

2. As a Serena is already classed as a private car I would not have any additional VRT liability to pay when its is classed as a camper?

3. Does anyone have any experience of what the storage space stipulation consists of..? As space in a Serena is limited enough I was thinking one or two small cupboards or a roof box for my conversion?

any help appreciated

Best of luck with your venture, whatever you go with in the end!!

1. You shouldn't have any issues when at the motor tax office once the CVO gives it an inspection. Some motor tax offices are also carrying out inspection which rules out the CVO.

2. I'm not fully sure on where the VRT comes into it any more, I had a Private 94 Ambulance up for VRT December 2010 but my latest is a 98 Caravelle down as a Private MPV which didn't require any VRT...

3. You'll need a two gas hob, bed and sink to pass the requirements as a campervan. Haven't heard of any requirements re storage space...

There's new requirements that all work has to be carried out by qualified body/individual. I'm sure there are ways and means around it, but these requirements were due to come into play at the start of this month.

[brian_m]

Originally Posted by spaceHopper

There is a nice but old VW day van on done deal at the moment.

great, will check it out thanks

[brian_m]

Originally Posted by stevire

Best of luck with your venture, whatever you go with in the end!!

1. You shouldn't have any issues when at the motor tax office once the CVO gives it an inspection. Some motor tax offices are also carrying out inspection which rules out the CVO.

2. I'm not fully sure on where the VRT comes into it any more, I had a Private 94 Ambulance up for VRT December 2010 but my latest is a 98 Caravelle down as a Private MPV which didn't require any VRT...

3. You'll need a two gas hob, bed and sink to pass the requirements as a campervan. Haven't heard of any requirements re storage space...

There's new requirements that all work has to be carried out by qualified body/individual. I'm sure there are ways and means around it, but these requirements were due to come into play at the start of this month.

thanks Steve,

2. Ya i cant imagine anything else is due as full VRT would have been charged on the original registration here when imported from Japan..

3. Ok sounds good, thought i read that somewhere

really... that could scupper the whole plan.. can anyone else mention a way around this if one has been found?

[jamesbil]

on the Bongo/Serena topic; are these now classed as campers and can they be taxed as such?

[sparrow100]

Hi Guys

I am a young guy just arrived to your beautiful country because of professional reasons. My wife and me want to take the opportunity to discover Irelands beauty in the weekends and are therefor searching for a small campervan, cheap, doesnt have to have a lot of comfort, but just in order for at least 1-3 years of discovering Ireland!

But I am reading all this info about MOT, VRT Etc that I lost my way. For the moment I am looking at 1) an old Nissan van (1995) for 900 EUR (not converted to a camper, but good enough for some mattresses and boxes - commercial vehicle and has a Mot) and

2) an even older Toyota Hiace (1985) for 2200 EUR (converted to camper, needs nct test, low taxes).

Does anyone has advice?

Do I need an extra test to get insurance for 1) or 2)? What will be the prices around?

Is the chance realistic that the old Nissan will not pass the test? (I don't want to use the van only for some months only of course).

What tests will I have to do for 1) or 2)?

MANY thanks for your answer or help, while we are completely lost -

[moodrater]

Originally Posted by sparrow100

Hi Guys

I am a young guy just arrived to your beautiful country because of professional reasons. My wife and me want to take the opportunity to discover Irelands beauty in the weekends and are therefor searching for a small campervan, cheap, doesnt have to have a lot of comfort, but just in order for at least 1-3 years of discovering Ireland!

But I am reading all this info about MOT, VRT Etc that I lost my way. For the moment I am looking at 1) an old Nissan van (1995) for 900 EUR (not converted to a camper, but good enough for some mattresses and boxes - commercial vehicle and has a Mot) and

2) an even older Toyota Hiace (1985) for 2200 EUR (converted to camper, needs nct test, low taxes).

Does anyone has advice?

Do I need an extra test to get insurance for 1) or 2)? What will be the prices around?

Is the chance realistic that the old Nissan will not pass the test? (I don't want to use the van only for some months only of course).

What tests will I have to do for 1) or 2)?

MANY thanks for your answer or help, while we are completely lost -

That hiace looks nice 4 speed auto could be thirsty especially above 55mph probably 25 - 30mpg. Beware of tinworm in a van that age. Beware of underseal its a great cloak of invisibility that can hide all sorts.

Van conversion take 10 x times the time you think it will and you'll spend a small fortune by the time you've added up everything. If the nissan is €900 by the time you've bought mattresses, cooker, pots and pans, curtains, gas bottle, lights, wiring, insulation, timber, roof vent etc. etc. you'll be close to the cost of the hiace and the extra tax for 3 years would bring you over the price of the hiace.

With the price of fuel now if it was just the two of us I'd probably build a decent sized teardop trailer or get a folding caravan like a esterel and tow it with our car rather than hulking around a couple of tons of steel and chipboard.

[carmad]

Guys if I bought this;
http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/bodytyp...7293d27/advert

Reg it as a van (50?) and get it converted to a camper will I save?
Or what is the best/legal route and the costings?

[stevire]

Originally Posted by carmad

Guys if I bought this;
http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/bodytyp...7293d27/advert

Reg it as a van (50?) and get it converted to a camper will I save?
Or what is the best/legal route and the costings?

It will work out the same, if you register it as a van you will pay 50e VRT (not sure if this is still the standard rate?) to get it to a commercial. When going from commercial to camper you will have to pay additional VRT which is worked out as 13.3% of the OMAP of the vehicle as a camper.

If you got a minibus you wouldn't have to pay additional VRT when going from bus to camper but the VRT when importing it would be a lot higher.

[moodrater]

I should think they'll fleece you on the omsp for a 2011 van though.

[motherofdivine]

Great post,Thanks!!!! I have just bought a 01 transit that's been converted but not reclassified, how do the calculate VRT? Anyone got a rough idea how much it would be for a van that age?