Van conversion query

HeatherPaws

Hi, I have a 161 Renault Kangoo van, standard, solid metal side panels (i.e. no windows except in front). I currently use the van for work, transporting dogs, but I would like to be able to carry more people (currently there is only 1 driver and 1 front passenger seat). Can you legally and safely insert a row of passenger seats behind the driver/front passenger seat in a way that they could still fold down? Should have bought a Citroen berlingo multispace or a R Kangoo maxi!

colm_mcm

No, not really. You'd have to pay VRT as a car. You'd be as well off selling and buying something else. There are a few 3 seater vans out there like the Ford Transit Connect.

HeatherPaws

Colm- what does VRT stand for?
If the windows of a car or multispace vehicle are blacked out or dimmed can't you still treat it as a commercial vehicle?

biko

I think you can fit more seats but this will change the nature of the car and you will have to change its VLC/logbook and depending on your insurance that may change too.



VRT is Vehicle Registration Tax

colm_mcm

HeatherPaws wrote: »

Colm- what does VRT stand for?
If the windows of a car or multispace vehicle are blacked out or dimmed can't you still treat it as a commercial vehicle?

Nope, it's still a car. You can use it for what you want, even take the rear seats out, but it's still taxed and insured as a car.

K.Flyer

HeatherPaws wrote: »

Hi, I have a 161 Renault Kangoo van, standard, solid metal side panels (i.e. no windows except in front). I currently use the van for work, transporting dogs, but I would like to be able to carry more people (currently there is only 1 driver and 1 front passenger seat). Can you legally and safely insert a row of passenger seats behind the driver/front passenger seat in a way that they could still fold down? Should have bought a Citroen berlingo multispace or a R Kangoo maxi!

By just putting extra seats in you may technically invalidate your insurance.
I did a Van to Car conversion many years ago and it involved seat belts, windows, an engineers report, log book changes, insurance changes, road tax changes.
I wouldn't bother with it all again, sell it and buy a suitable vehicle, mainly because a vehicle that has been "modified" or "altered" raises a huge red flag with insurance companies and they may load you heavily for it, or worse, not quote for cover.

HeatherPaws

Thanks for all your comments everyone; think buying a different vehicle may be on the cards!