Can you convert any hatchback/estate to a commercial?

Mickk

Thinking about a galant vr4 estate (2.5 twinturbo 280bhp) or a volvo t5r estate... Is it possible to take out back seats and windows ect. and get it classed as a van?

HEATZ

Mickk wrote:

Thinking about a galant vr4 estate (2.5 twinturbo 280bhp) or a volvo t5r estate... Is it possible to take out back seats and windows ect. and get it classed as a van?

not if its a 4 door!

colm_mcm

4 door doesn't make a difference. look at long wheelbase commercial jeeps or vans.
have to remove and destroy window regulators, rear seats, seatbelts, and fit a flat floor, you also have to permanently black out the rear side windows, and get it DOE'd every year. also you'll have to pay more at toll bridges if they cop that it's commercial

Mickk

Does it get doe'd if it is less than 3.5 tonnes?
Can anyone think of some other nice cars to commercialise? Have to be estates/hatchbacks or what is the law?

Mickk

Can I do it to a coupe?
Anyone know where I can find the actual laws reguarding this, checked www.ros.ie but couldnt find it...

colm_mcm

certain percentage of the car has to be dedicated to commercial loadspace, you also need to sign a declaration stating that you'll use it for purely commercial purposes

junkyard

I just bought a new BMW X5 and commercialised it and saved a fortune on VRT. I think you can commercialise any hatchback or estate. Before you could just get it weighed and fill out a form for change of use, DOE test it and you could tax commercially and leave the seats in it, I did it this way with my last Range Rover and my BMW 530 d touring and never had any hassle with it. The best way to do it is to commercialise it before you register it in Ireland, this should work with any import, Japanese or from the U.K.

colm_mcm

If you leave the seats in and tax as commercial, your insurance is invalid, and your car can be confiscated by the revenue commisioners

CJhaughey

I have seen a Toyota Supra commercial.
White with the rear 1/4 lights blacked out.

Robbo

Audi RS4 Avant Commercial, tbh.

junkyard

I'm making enquiries about a Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, 4.5 litre V8, 0-60 in 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 167 mph, its got to be the ultimate van. 50 euros VRT, 252euros road tax for the year and no benefit in kind worries with the tax man. I just wonder how long this loop hole will last? Not long when the revenue are losing about 50k in VRT.:rolleyes:

prospect

junkyard wrote:

I'm making enquiries about a Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, 4.5 litre V8, 0-60 in 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 167 mph, its got to be the ultimate van. 50 euros VRT, 252euros road tax for the year and no benefit in kind worries with the tax man. I just wonder how long this loop hole will last? Not long when the revenue are losing about 50k in VRT.:rolleyes:

Pity the Cayenne and the X5 you picked are also the two ugliest 4WDs on the road....

junkyard

I'd sooner have performance and build quality any day over looks to be honest. I owned many "good looking" cars and commercials in my time and I certainly learned my lessons. What would you pick?

prospect

junkyard wrote:

I'd sooner have performance and build quality any day over looks to be honest. I owned many "good looking" cars and commercials in my time and I certainly learned my lessons. What would you pick?

Landcruiser or Patrol.

junkyard

Have you driven any of them prospect? They're both a bit agricultural for my liking to be honest. I owned a Landcruiser for two months and it nearly broke my back, I've driven Patrols and they're not for me either and they're hardly good looking by any stretch of the imagination.

prospect

Yep, both and liked them too.

I agree they are not particularly nice looking, but I actually find the X5 objectionable and the front of the Cayenne is yuck (much prefer VW's attempt).

I have never even been in the Porsche, but the looks and price would put me off immediatley. Also, what is the point. In terms of off road and commercial ability, it will do nothing better than the Nissan or Toyota.

I was a passenger in the X5, and like all BMW's, I felt like it was massively over-rated. Also, the back of it, probably the ugliest I have ever seen.

But as said before, different strokes for different folks.

Mickk

I have just bought a hummer h2 and I love nothing more than pulling up beside x5's or other 4wd's who think they are the dogs bollox and seeing them looking up at it

Thats actually why I want a car van so it can be put on the same insurance policy, there is no way I am paying for one comercial and one private policy (im 23 yo with a provisional and no ncb...)

FX Meister

So how much was your insurance on the H2 being 23 and having no NCB or full license?

colm_mcm

FX Meister wrote:

So how much was your insurance on the H2 being 23 and having no NCB or full license?

lol @ overactive imagination

Mickk

6640...

dogg_r_69

Mickk wrote:

Thinking about a galant vr4 estate (2.5 twinturbo 280bhp) or a volvo t5r estate... Is it possible to take out back seats and windows ect. and get it classed as a van?

Got my van doe's today While I was waiting i read a notice on the wall It said to change to a comercial you need to have more space for good then sitting area. If rear seats are removed you need to weld over the achors for the belt and where the seat is achored to the body. It said removable of windows didn't matter There was something else as well but can't remember now

FX Meister

Dude I know bought a Land Cruiser Amazon in the north and had to get the read seats brought forward in order to get it classed as a commercial.

colm_mcm

insurance may be a problem too

Mickk

dogg_r_69 are you sure it said removal of windows doesnt matter? Do you have to board up windows on inside? If the windows are tinted will it do?