"
"V5C log book"
"It is a legal requirement that all UK registered vehicles are classified correctly on the V5C log book.
All campervans, motor caravans and motorhomes fall into the DVLA category of ‘motor caravan’.
If you have converted a van into a motor caravan then you must return the V5C to DVLA for body type amendment.
DVLA is required to record the details of vehicles for road safety and law enforcement. The body type information held on the vehicle record must describe what a vehicle actually looks like. This description, in addition to other distinguishing features, enables the police and other enforcement agencies to identify a particular vehicle. Therefore, the body type will not be changed unless the exterior of the vehicle actually appears to be a motor home."
www.gov.uk
The above is the direct quote from the government web page - I note with interest the second sentence regarding descriptions of vehicles.
I also note the third sentence which places an onus on the owner of a conversion to notifiy DVLA that the vehicle has been converted.
And if I'm not mistaken, the DVLA place the legal requirement to notify on the owner of the vehicle with those words '"you must".
I have also read carefully the descriptions and, with a few simple photos every point specified for the vehicle to be reclassified from MPV to Motor Caravan can be proved beyond reasonable doubt. DVLA nicely provide a template letter to send to them asking for the appropriate change.
[Insert Your Address]
[Insert Your Address]
[Insert Your Address]
[Insert Your Address]
[Insert Your PostCode]
[Insert Date]
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BA
Dear Sirs,
I am writing to request that my vehicle registration number [insert reg No.] is reclassified as a “Motor Caravan”. I have completed the conversion myself and am aware of your requirements for the vehicle to fit into the classification of “Motor Caravan”.
Please find a series of photographs enclosed showing details of the vehicle.
- 1. Front of Motor Caravan showing registration plate.
- 2. Rear of Motor Caravan again showing registration plate.
- 3. Interior detail showing seats and table in upright position. Please note the table bracket is permanently and securely fixed to the vehicle body.
- 4. Bed in sleeping position. Please note that this is made up from seat cushions used for seating during the day. The key elements of the bed base are permanently and securely fixed to the body of the vehicle. The bed is [insert length in feet and inches or mm] long.
- 5. Cooking facilities. The cooker is fuelled by [insert whichever applies but must be gas or electricity. If gas state that the piping is permanently fixed to the vehicle].
- 6. Storage cupboard.
Water is stored in a [insert details].
The conversion of the vehicle to a Motor Caravan was completed on [insert date].
I enclose my V5C document with section 7 “Changes to Current Vehicle” completed.
I trust that the enclosed photographs provide you with sufficient evidence to make the amendment to Body Type classification. If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours faithfully,
[insert name and sign above]
So, I wonder, with a slight modification to their template letter (such as "
I purchased this vehicle direct from the manufacturer" , instead of "I converted ..." and "
The manufacture of the Motor vehicle as a Motor Caravan was (insert date first registered) ) instead of " The conversion of the vehicle ....", that if enough Ocean Owners simply sent back their V5cs, with photos and an appropriately reworded template removing the "converted to" etc , that DVLA would get sufficiently "p>>>d off" with VW and get the matter sorted between them - because as it stands at the moment, it appears I, like many others are in possession of a vehicle which is not legally classified correctly in the DVLA's own words.
