California Vehicle Classification & VW UK

My 2016 has a wrong classification VW sold me a Blackberry coloured van and on my V5 it says it is Mauve.
Who is at fault
VW - VW dealer - DVLC
Personally, life is too short to worry what a new van is registered as on the V5 I have never considered my van a motorhome I consider it a camper van. Now if it was recorded as a tractor that may be an issue!
A colour change to a V5 is easy, the current problem does not seem to be so. Whether this directly effects you or not, even if you think I'm alright jack (And I'm not saying you are Meoncoast) we should all stick together.
Something is clearly wrong, the only way of even getting a resolution is to have weight in numbers or am I just talking *rap?
 
we should all stick together.
Something is clearly wrong, the only way of even getting a resolution is to have weight in numbers or am I just talking *rap?
Personally I do not think there is something wrong. The point I was trying to make was who is at fault with regards to the OP topic. 1. VW Uk 2. The dealer 3.DVLA
"I believe" at the end of the day it will come down to the DVLA changing their criteria for what they consider a "Motorhome". As this appears to be also an issue for the Marco Polo it would lead to it pointing at a change at the DVLA. But there could be an error at VW or at the dealer. Although my Cali is registered as a Motorhome I never considered I bought a Motorhome when I purchased our van I considered it a Campervan and was quite surprised to see the word Motorhome on my V5.
I also believe that as it is a change from criteria the DVLA it will not change it the future. The only issue I can see is that some insurance providers are possibly being slow in understanding the change in criteria. However, someone has already posted Comfort have accepted they will offer insurance to MPV Cali's. On the MHCC insurance site they now state Check your V5 logbook. If it says ‘Motor Caravan’ for Body Type, we can give an online quote.
If you can’t see ‘Motor Caravan’ on the V5, please give us a quick call.
"Does it affect me personally am I alright jack" when I buy my next campervan it will but I am not concerned what the DVLA want to want to put on the V5. What does concern me is that specialist insurance provides keep up to speed with the changes in the leisure industry.
 
Personally I do not think there is something wrong. The point I was trying to make was who is at fault with regards to the OP topic. 1. VW Uk 2. The dealer 3.DVLA
"I believe" at the end of the day it will come down to the DVLA changing their criteria for what they consider a "Motorhome". As this appears to be also an issue for the Marco Polo it would lead to it pointing at a change at the DVLA. But there could be an error at VW or at the dealer. Although my Cali is registered as a Motorhome I never considered I bought a Motorhome when I purchased our van I considered it a Campervan and was quite surprised to see the word Motorhome on my V5.
I also believe that as it is a change from criteria the DVLA it will not change it the future. The only issue I can see is that some insurance providers are possibly being slow in understanding the change in criteria. However, someone has already posted Comfort have accepted they will offer insurance to MPV Cali's. On the MHCC insurance site they now state Check your V5 logbook. If it says ‘Motor Caravan’ for Body Type, we can give an online quote.
If you can’t see ‘Motor Caravan’ on the V5, please give us a quick call.
"Does it affect me personally am I alright jack" when I buy my next campervan it will but I am not concerned what the DVLA want to want to put on the V5. What does concern me is that specialist insurance provides keep up to speed with the changes in the leisure industry.
Though it obviously does not concern you, but if a Beach is classified as a motor caravan and an Ocean as an MPV then, going by DVLA's own criteria, there would appear to be an error which is what we are endeavouring to correct.

Tom
 
Beach is classified as a motor caravan and an Ocean as an MPV then, going by DVLA's own criteria, there would appear to be an error which is what we are endeavouring to correct.
I watch with interest.
 
"
"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."


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. 1. Front of Motor Caravan showing registration plate.
  2. 2. Rear of Motor Caravan again showing registration plate.
  3. 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. 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. 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. 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.
 
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I wonder if VW are hiding behind the changes that DVLA have implemented to cover up their error in possibly being involved in providing the wrong Registration Codes to DVLA for MY19 Cali Oceans, how else can it be that MY19 Beach's (as far as I'm aware) are being registered as Motorcaravans

My MY19 Beach is classed as an MPV...?
 
Personally I do not think there is something wrong. The point I was trying to make was who is at fault with regards to the OP topic. 1. VW Uk 2. The dealer 3.DVLA
"I believe" at the end of the day it will come down to the DVLA changing their criteria for what they consider a "Motorhome". As this appears to be also an issue for the Marco Polo it would lead to it pointing at a change at the DVLA. But there could be an error at VW or at the dealer. Although my Cali is registered as a Motorhome I never considered I bought a Motorhome when I purchased our van I considered it a Campervan and was quite surprised to see the word Motorhome on my V5.
I also believe that as it is a change from criteria the DVLA it will not change it the future. The only issue I can see is that some insurance providers are possibly being slow in understanding the change in criteria. However, someone has already posted Comfort have accepted they will offer insurance to MPV Cali's. On the MHCC insurance site they now state Check your V5 logbook. If it says ‘Motor Caravan’ for Body Type, we can give an online quote.
If you can’t see ‘Motor Caravan’ on the V5, please give us a quick call.
"Does it affect me personally am I alright jack" when I buy my next campervan it will but I am not concerned what the DVLA want to want to put on the V5. What does concern me is that specialist insurance provides keep up to speed with the changes in the leisure industry.

What matters is its not an MPV, its a Campervan, Motorhome or Motor caravan as was on the V5 on my last two SE and Ocean. If its been ok since the Cali was introduced why change it now? Its not been done for the owners benefit that's for sure. If a simple mistake then please someone just put it right.
If it does not concern you then that's fine I respect that, but it seems to a few on here so all I'm asking is for support as a Forum member. As we all did when the roof corrosion issue hit the headlines.
 
Not really it seems all oceans are registered as MPV but some Beaches are motor caravans or MPVs.
My point exactly oceans are mpv’s beaches are campers and some beaches are mpvs
Pretty laughable really that such big companies are totally clueless to what’s what...who the fxxk is in charge here get me the manager lol
 
Just been informed by my mate that I suggested he register his distain with VW, that a response is due within 24hrs. He will post it when received, we may all get one at the same time.
 
I collected my 68 plate Beach today and had a gander at the V5 before the dealer sent it off. First registered Nov 2018 and motorcaravan.

I chatted to the dealer (VW commercial vans) no clue about it at all.
 
I collected my 68 plate Beach today and had a gander at the V5 before the dealer sent it off. First registered Nov 2018 and motorcaravan.

I chatted to the dealer (VW commercial vans) no clue about it at all.
A 2018 should be registered as that. It seems to be from March 2019 that's affected.
 
A 2018 should be registered as that. It seems to be from March 2019 that's affected.
I think it’s from January 2019 as mine was registered early February as a MPV.

Will
 
We registered and picked up our Ocean 15th March 2019. Just looked at the V5 now and it is a MPV not Motorcaravan :oops: If anyone has any success in getting it changed to motorcaravan would be interested to hear!
 
For me if MY19 Beach's were being Classified as MPV's as well as Ocean's I might have thought, we'll the DVLA have made a decision to bring both vehicles in to line and decided to Classify them according to what their base vehicle was. I probably would not have questioned it but to Classify (as far as I am aware) MY19 Beach's as "Motorcaravan's" and MY19 Ocean's as MPV's it is "obviously" a mistake. It's very frustrating that whoever has made the mistake (either VW or DVLA or both) won't rectify it, do they think that effected owners will just get board with the issue and give up because if they do in no uncertain terms I will be making them aware that I won't be giving up until the situation is sorted out to my satisfaction.
 
Hi there suggest you read from the start there you will understand full the reason for the thread also you will find a contact number to call VW. customer care to lodge your dissatisfaction which they will then issue with a reference number whilst they negotiate with the DVLA of which many members feel VW are responsible.

Will
 
Thanks for your support Breeze1, I have been making comments from the start and I made a formal complaint quite some time ago, for which I received a reference number + several phone calls to supposedly keep me updated. As I am sure most people are who this issue effects, I'm getting frustrated at the slowness of pace in rectifying something that to me seems a straight forward mistake, just letting of a bit of steam really.
 
Thanks for your support Breeze1, I have been making comments from the start and I made a formal complaint quite some time ago, for which I received a reference number + several phone calls to supposedly keep me updated. As I am sure most people are who this issue effects, I'm getting frustrated at the slowness of pace in rectifying something that to me seems a straight forward mistake, just letting of a bit of steam really.
Sorry about my not reconsigning your earlier involvement, guess we are all frustrated, like you cannot see why it should take so long to sort out. Well i am superposed to be getting a call next week with an update. lets see!!
 
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