California Vehicle Classification & VW UK

[Digger]

Will be an advantages in places like Swanage and some of the seaside towns liken in North Yokshire where seafront parking states no Motorhomes.


It is only DVLA who basically use descriptive of MPV. The California remains a campervan and that may be an issue if you think Councils and jobsworths will think otherwise. I would check with relevant councils before trying to argue a fixed penalty.

 

[Gary&Heather]

I have just been on the phone to VW customer services and they have instructed me after making a complaint about my California Ocean being an MPV to take it to my local commercial vehicle van centre and explain the situation to them and asked them make a report and take photographs of the vehicle and of my V5 and asked them to pass this information on to VW customer services who would then advise me on the next step when I asked her what the next step could be she said she could not answer that question until they have the report and the evidence to say whether my vehicle is a California Ocean or an MPV I then explain to the lady that it has got the necessary equipment inside the vehicle to comply as a campervan which VW should know because they sold me the California Ocean I then asked the lady to escalate my case she then asked me for what reason I said mis-selling she then said they would have to wait for the report and the photographic evidence to escalate the case when I mentioned that other people have contacted VW over this issue and their cases were escalated straightaway and were not asked for any evidence the young lady replied unfortunately I cannot comment on other cases and that is what we are advising customers to do. I GET THE FEELING I AM BEING FOBBED OFF

 

[Neuon2003]

I think it is a big plus, the no caravan rule in covenent's and leases is a problem for many. People use MPV's to pull their caravans so acceptable on all but a handful of campsites. Taxation stays the same for California's and if insurers are so stupid to turn away top class business more fool them.

There be dragons ...

The type approval definition of "motor caravan" has nothing to do with what the V5C body type description says. In order for a converted vehicle to qualify as a motor caravan it must have "certain minimum features" and the V5C body type description is not specified as one of those requirements. This same definition is used in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

Regulation 2, The Motor Vehicles (Type Approval) (Great Britain) Regulations 1979

 

[andyinluton]

I have just been on the phone to VW customer services and they have instructed me after making a complaint about my California Ocean being an MPV to take it to my local commercial vehicle van centre and explain the situation to them and asked them make a report and take photographs of the vehicle and of my V5 and asked them to pass this information on to VW customer services who would then advise me on the next step when I asked her what the next step could be she said she could not answer that question until they have the report and the evidence to say whether my vehicle is a California Ocean or an MPV I then explain to the lady that it has got the necessary equipment inside the vehicle to comply as a campervan which VW should know because they sold me the California Ocean I then asked the lady to escalate my case she then asked me for what reason I said mis-selling she then said they would have to wait for the report and the photographic evidence to escalate the case when I mentioned that other people have contacted VW over this issue and their cases were escalated straightaway and were not asked for any evidence the young lady replied unfortunately I cannot comment on other cases and that is what we are advising customers to do. I GET THE FEELING I AM BEING FOBBED OFF

Where does it say in the VW brochure / configurator what the V5 will say?

 

[Jester]

I have just been on the phone to VW customer services and they have instructed me after making a complaint about my California Ocean being an MPV to take it to my local commercial vehicle van centre and explain the situation to them and asked them make a report and take photographs of the vehicle and of my V5 and asked them to pass this information on to VW customer services who would then advise me on the next step when I asked her what the next step could be she said she could not answer that question until they have the report and the evidence to say whether my vehicle is a California Ocean or an MPV I then explain to the lady that it has got the necessary equipment inside the vehicle to comply as a campervan which VW should know because they sold me the California Ocean I then asked the lady to escalate my case she then asked me for what reason I said mis-selling she then said they would have to wait for the report and the photographic evidence to escalate the case when I mentioned that other people have contacted VW over this issue and their cases were escalated straightaway and were not asked for any evidence the young lady replied unfortunately I cannot comment on other cases and that is what we are advising customers to do. I GET THE FEELING I AM BEING FOBBED OFF

You are, get back to them via the number I posted near the beginning of this thread. There a number of us now within the complaints system. Don’t drop it or get fobbed off. That’s how they start with everyone. They will have mor success than you.

Good luck.

 

[homerorchid]

When VW Customer Services contact me again re update/complaint in relation to mis-selling I am going to tell them that as a gesture of good will I accept 1% of the cost of my vehicle (approx £700 In my case). I consider this to be a fair compromise on my part given the difficulties surrounding insuring the vehicle/habitation area/pop-top as a whole through specialist insurers such as Comfort, C&CC, C&MHC etc. VW need to make it clear in their advertising material and ensure dealers selling to the UK market that MY19 California Ocean's are being Classified as MPV's and not Motorcaravan's by the DVLA and that this can have implications in the choice of specialist campervan insurance companies. Customers need this information to enable them to make an informed choice as to weather they are happy to fork out (in our case) £70,000 plus for a campervan that is Classified as an MPV by the DVLA. Despite being privy to this information VW did not make any attempt to inform me that I was purchasing a campervan that DVLA Classify as an MPV, therefore in my opinion I class this as deliberately misleading and therefore mis-selling. Given VW's track record relating to emissions I would of hoped that their aim would have been to improve public confidence in their brand.

 

[Sandyvan]

You are, get back to them via the number I posted near the beginning of this thread. There a number of us now within the complaints system. Don’t drop it or get fobbed off. That’s how they start with everyone. They will have mor success than you.

Good luck.

I tried calling them but your contact was busy, I left a message and was assured they would call me back but as yet no call.

 

[Jester]

I tried calling them but your contact was busy, I left a message and was assured they would call me back but as yet no call.

Ok keep on it

 

[Sandyvan]

When VW Customer Services contact me again re update/complaint in relation to mis-selling I am going to tell them that as a gesture of good will I accept 1% of the cost of my vehicle (approx £700 In my case). I consider this to be a fair compromise on my part given the difficulties surrounding insuring the vehicle/habitation area/pop-top as a whole through specialist insurers such as Comfort, C&CC, C&MHC etc. VW need to make it clear in their advertising material and ensure dealers selling to the UK market that MY19 California Ocean's are being Classified as MPV's and not Motorcaravan's by the DVLA and that this can have implications in the choice of specialist campervan insurance companies. Customers need this information to enable them to make an informed choice as to weather they are happy to fork out (in our case) £70,000 plus for a campervan that is Classified as an MPV by the DVLA. Despite being privy to this information VW did not make any attempt to inform me that I was purchasing a campervan that DVLA Classify as an MPV, therefore in my opinion I class this as deliberately misleading and therefore mis-selling. Given VW's track record relating to emissions I would of hoped that their aim would have been to improve public confidence in their brand.

Up to you but I would not suggest a percentage of perceived compensation just yet. £700.00 is not a lot of dosh in the grand scheme of things.

If it is recognised as an issue by VW, and they can set a precedent of giving 1% but not do anything about the classification, win win for VW.
Just a thought, but I am no legal expert.

 

[Sandyvan]

Ok keep on it

Don't worry I will.

 

[Jester]

Up to you but I would not suggest a percentage of perceived compensation just yet. £700.00 is not a lot of dosh in the grand scheme of things.

If it is recognised as an issue by VW, and they can set a precedent of giving 1% but not do anything about the classification, win win for VW.
Just a thought, but I am no legal expert.

Totally agree

 

[homerorchid]

Good point, I appreciate your opinion, thank you

 

[Sandyvan]

Good point, I appreciate your opinion, thank you

Your entitled to do what you wish, I know your angry and your entitled to be. I agree I think its a case of either miss-selling or miss communication, once it came to light. If it had been communicated then customers had the choice to continue with their purchase or not. As said I am no expert on legal matters but I'm sure with our diverse membership there is a legal bod on here. How far are we going to go before we unite and become a unified voice as happened with the roof corrosion issue.

 

[Digger]

VW are still selling you a campervan. That is a fact and although DVLA may note the V5 as an MPV it does not change the vehicle. The Marco Polo is also noted as an MPV. The actions of the DVLA are outwith manufacturers control so doubtful if VW are at fault or liable. I doubt if any court would award any compensation as neither the vehicle or its equipment has changed or its intended use.

 

[Jester]

VW are still selling you a campervan. That is a fact and although DVLA may note the V5 as an MPV it does not change the vehicle. The Marco Polo is also noted as an MPV. The actions of the DVLA are outwith manufacturers control so doubtful if VW are at fault or liable. I doubt if any court would award any compensation as neither the vehicle or its equipment has changed or its intended use.

I agree but it is for Vw to fight the case not the purchaser.

 

[pjm-84]

Why would it be for VW to fight the case?

 

[Sandyvan]

Why would it be for VW to fight the case?

I don't think it is a case, I personally don't think reasonable owners/customers want compensation just the V5 to state what the vehicle is.
I spoke to the salesman that I bought our van from and he said in his opinion the DVLA seemed to have been misinformed by someone at VW, (how strange VW not knowing what they build) and they have in his words mixed up their vans. New Beaches are still motorhomes on the V5 (I cant comment as I don't know) maybe a new Beach owner can confirm or not?
But he said Oceans are now MPVs and Beach's are Motorhomes go figure if true.

 

[zinglefiffy]

New Beaches are still motorhomes on the V5 (I cant comment as I don't know) maybe a new Beach owner can confirm or not?
But he said Oceans are now MPVs and Beach's are Motorhomes go figure if true.

Maybe we need to hear from a *very* new beach owner, but my April-registered Beach is an MPV on my v5.

Sent from my Nokia 6.1 using Tapatalk

 

[Jester]

Why would it be for VW to fight the case?

What strength would you or I have to support the brand !

 

[Cloud Dodger]

I *think* I have read that van conversations from earlier this year (on T6 Forums) are also now being registered as MPV's not motorhomes after conversion.

This seems to me to be a DVLA problem and how DVLA classify a motorhome \ camper not VW, but I agree that VW should be fighting the corner of their customers.

VW's defence could be that VW do classify them as motorhomes BUT DVLA are overriding or ignoring \ denying the classification.

 

[BeagleMum]

I don't think it is a case, I personally don't think reasonable owners/customers want compensation just the V5 to state what the vehicle is.
I spoke to the salesman that I bought our van from and he said in his opinion the DVLA seemed to have been misinformed by someone at VW, (how strange VW not knowing what they build) and they have in his words mixed up their vans. New Beaches are still motorhomes on the V5 (I cant comment as I don't know) maybe a new Beach owner can confirm or not?
But he said Oceans are now MPVs and Beach's are Motorhomes go figure if true.

New Beach purchased in June 2019 V5 states Motor Caravan

 

[Loz]

New arrivals, please read this topic from the start, as things are getting repeated.
If you read back, vw said that the new registration software incorrectly registered Oceans as MPV and they were trying to fix this.
The California is a recognised build type whereas van conversions don’t and require an IVA to reach the same.

 

[homerorchid]

Hi Loz, do you know who's software it was, VW or DVLA. Do you think they've got it the wrong way round by mistake and MY19 Oceans should be Motorcaravan's and MY19 Beach's would be MPV's?

 

[WelshGas]

Hi Loz, do you know who's software it was, VW or DVLA. Do you think they've got it the wrong way round by mistake and MY19 Oceans should be Motorcaravan's and MY19 Beach's would be MPV's?

Judging by DVLA's own requirements for a Motor Caravan definition, YES.

 

[Loz]

Hi Loz, do you know who's software it was, VW or DVLA. Do you think they've got it the wrong way round by mistake and MY19 Oceans should be Motorcaravan's and MY19 Beach's would be MPV's?

It was my interpretation that DVLA have supplied a registration software system and VWUK supplied dealers with the wrong registration code for the vehicle type.