Car to van conversion and "vrt"

Zippe

Hey,
Looking at getting a focus for work/runaround 2nd car for the house,I have a new diesel car that I use for family use and just need a small car/van,I'm looking at a focus 1.4 petrol on ni plates that a friend has,I would like a 1.6 td but so far the vans I've looked at are not great,with oil leaks and turbo's not boosting,that's not to say there all like that as I'm sure there is plenty of good 1.6 td out there but the 1.4 petrol will do the job for me,i'll only do small mils anyway,

Anyway,
if I buy a 1.4 lx car and convert it to a van will I save a few quid on vrt ? I can black out the side glass and fit a steel panel inside it like it was done on my golf van I had in the past and Fit a flat floor and carpet it out like the focus van's are done,
Will I save a few quid and has anyone done this ? The online vrt calculator only has a 1.6 td rate but nothing for a 1.4 lx petrol van vrt rate,

It would be great to hear from someone that has done this to a 3door car how they got on,

Cheers zip,

JimmyCrackCorn

Thread moved to Motors where you'll get a better response.

corktina

I dunno about a better response, but what you are proposing isn't legal as you can't use a commercial for other than commercial purposes

jamesdiver

Of course you need to fill out the correct form from motor tax office to change the use, and get that signed by the guards. They may ask for a VAT number or even your pps as well as grill you on what you will use it for in a commercial sense.

After that, the belts and seat mounts will need welding. The inner windows may need to be blocked off. Some say no glass, but nice seen plenty of small vans and jeeps with current DOEs with carpet over the inside of the window (maybe someone can clarify?).

You will need the car weighed and DOEd once you change the use of the car with motor tax office. They may want to inspect the car after, but I presume this is done at the DOE and signed off there.

Interested in this myself. Probably less hassle to pick up an actual van for work, but I'm my line I do a lot of driving and something like a diesel focus would be more economical, however they are quite expensive when compared to private examples.

daRobot

>OP

Do you even know if you'd save money, not knowing the OMSP or rates on both vans to compare?

jamesdiver

Not sure on OP, but here is an example;

p.s. Only approx as hard to match up models as the commercial and private drop down menus offer different versions.

OMPS on a Commercial 1999 Focus 1.8TD €940.
VRT payable is 13% or €125

OMPS on a Private 1999 Focus 1.8TDCI €2000
VRT payable is 19% or €380

HOWEVER. VRT has been paid on the private car. So not sure how this applies once its a used Irish car, currently registered as private.

My breakdown of costs for the process:

€100euro for modifications (or free if DIY)
€140 NSAI inspection
€20 for official weighbridge ticket
€80 for DOE
€6 for DOE cert
€333 for tax
€20ish for admin charges that im guessing exist.

total = €700ish on the road

And if you just keep the car private:

€636 tax
€55 NCT

total = €700ish on the road


So ya, in the first year, you wont make any savings, and will go through a hell of hassle. But in the second year, it should start paying itself off. Also bear in mind that commercial insurance policys may be higher than what you normally pay and you may not get the same extras such as Driving other cars etc etc.

APP86

Can anyone tell me the cost of converting a UK registered Jeep to Irish plates if I convert it to commercial prior to getting it VRT'd?