Please find below a DVLA response to my recent query:-
"The body type is provided to us by the dealer at the point a vehicle is first registered to us. It does not define how a vehicle is used, it exists on the record purely as a reference as to how the vehicle looks.
I trust this is of assistance to you."
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A VW California is defined in legislation as a 'Motor Car' and therefore this point is not open to discussion, opinion or interpretation.
NB: VW CS confirm that 'mass in service' on the V5C at section 4. is used to record the unladen weight of the vehicle at the point of registration with DVLA.
The road traffic act 1988 states:-
- “motor car” means a mechanically propelled vehicle, not being a motor cycle or an invalid carriage, which is constructed itself to carry a load or passengers and the weight of which unladen—
(a)if it is constructed solely for the carriage of passengers and their effects, is adapted to carry not more than seven passengers exclusive of the driver and is fitted with tyres of such type as may be specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State, does not exceed 3050 kilograms,
(b)if it is constructed or adapted for use for the conveyance of goods or burden of any description, does not exceed 3050 kilograms, or 3500 kilograms if the vehicle carries a container or containers for holding for the purposes of its propulsion any fuel which is wholly gaseous at 17.5 degrees Celsius under a pressure of 1.013 bar or plant and materials for producing such fuel,
(c)does not exceed 2540 kilograms in a case not falling within sub-paragraph (a) or (b) above,