Buying a commerical vehicle for private use

Cetera

Hi,

I'm currently considering buying a commercial vehicle (VW Transporter) for solely private use.
I have enquired about insurance and I will need commercial insurance with social and domestic cover (insurers say I need commercial cover because I will be commuting to work in the vehicle).
Regarding tax - by the letter of the law, I will need to tax it privately... from what I've researched anyway.

On the point of VRT, I assume there is no tax liability as I will not be re-registering the vehicle itself, i.e. it will remain a commercial vehicle with commercial insurance and private motor tax.

Have I understood this correctly?

Also, at some point I intend on converting the vehicle to a camper and will follow the conversion process with Revenue at that point, but in the interim I'd like to insulate it and put in some removable bedding for the odd hiking trip/bike trip, i.e. keep it as a day van - is it ok to make these minor modifications to a commercial vehicle? I assume this wouldn't be classed as a camper judging by Revenue's definition of same. Would it have implications for insurance cover?

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

colm_mcm

The modifications are no problem and don’t affect anything.

Try and find someone who will insure you first.

There’s no extra VRT, and tax privately is on the old cc system

Cetera

Cheers, colm_mcm - very helpful

Cetera

tphase wrote: »

if that was true, you'd need commercial cover if you commute to work in your car (which is covered by 'social and domestic use'). More likely their system doesn't allow for private cover on a vehicle classed as commercial or it's awkward to do and they made up that excuse on the spot.

Yeah, it's daft but I tried multiple insurers and I received the same response on the commercial cover...In fact, I did say I would use the van to attend work-related meetings, but no goods carried, so that's probably why they leaned towards the commercial. It's not overly expensive, so not too concerned.

I'm looking to buy new, but there's a hefty price tag on the Caravelles, so that's not an option for me.

celtic_oz

these 7 seaters are essentially a VAN but there is no BIK if bought through company as electric

https://www.nissan.ie/vehicles/new-vehicles/evalia.html

This guy converted the older version ( smaller battery ) into a camper van

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FunoN-MrxSk