Importing a Cali Beach - Classification

[s2bear]

I can almost hear the groans before I continue on this line and yes it's been covered to some degree... but, here goes.

I'm looking at a form V55/4 to be completed.
I understand that Taxation Class should be Diesel Car. (Correct me if I'm wrong)
Type of body/vehicle is the question. It's not a motor caravan because DVLA clearly states that to be a motor caravan the vehicle must have certain 'minimum features', some of which are:

• a water storage tank or container on, or in, the vehicle.
• a permanently fixed means of storage, a cupboard, locker or wardrobe.
• a permanently fixed cooking facility within the vehicle, powered by gas or electricity.

Clearly, a California Beach does not have any of these.
So.... should it be listed as an 'Estate Car'? ('M1')
I have a LR Discovery, 7 seats - 'Estate' is the classification and, for what the DVLA care about, it's the same as far as I can tell.
Yes, I have searched and sorry, I know it's been flogged to death but I am faced with a form and an empty box.
Stu

 

[s2bear]

I just called Comfort for an insurance quote - they would not supply a quote unless I told them that the California Beach was classed as a Motor Caravan on the V5. I said strictly speaking, it was not and that's where the conversation ended.

 

[daveyboydanger]

I just called Comfort for an insurance quote - they would not supply a quote unless I told them that the California Beach was classed as a Motor Caravan on the V5. I said strictly speaking, it was not and that's where the conversation ended.

My beach v5 says motor caravan for body type and diesel car for taxation class. I had to confirm that before comfort would insure me.

 

[s2bear]

My beach v5 says motor caravan for body type and diesel car for taxation class. I had to confirm that before comfort would insure me.

Thanks. It's a bit odd. I guess I'll ring the DVLA and see what they say. Stu

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks. It's a bit odd. I guess I'll ring the DVLA and see what they say. Stu

I would just stick with what VW have classed the Beach as - Diesel Car and Body Type Motor Caravan.
That's the information supplied to DVLA by VW. I know it is contrary to DVLA's definition of a Motor Caravan but you could find difficulties getting Insurance if you end up getting a different Body Type on the V5c.

 

[rod_vw]

Sorry, according to the DVLA requirements for 'Motor Caravan' classification a Beach is NOT a Motor Caravan. See the minimum requirements here https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...caravan/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motorhome

All of you who have got away with it up to now should keep your heads down. How on earth it has slipped through the net up to now heaven knows.

 

[Goldie]

Just go with the flow and only argue when it's to your advantage. I argued that my Beach was not a motor home when I brought it to NZ - No sink, cooker or toilet. It saved me 10% on the import duty - worthwhile raising the point.

Comfort must know what a Beach is and if the the V5c says motor caravan, I can't see how they can argue against the official DVLA classification. Be careful you don't dig a hole for yourself arguing it's not a motor caravan - it's a hybrid with one foot in both camps.

Andy

 

[daveyboydanger]

Sorry, according to the DVLA requirements for 'Motor Caravan' classification a Beach is NOT a Motor Caravan. See the minimum requirements here https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...caravan/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motorhome

All of you who have got away with it up to now should keep your heads down. How on earth it has slipped through the net up to now heaven knows.

Not sure I've 'got away' with anything! Had two VW beach and both have been classed as body type motor caravan. They seem to be happy with that.

 

[s2bear]

OK, having spoken to the DVLA, they reiterated that a Cali Beach is NOT 'motor caravan' and that it should be 'PLG' in the relevant box. Then I spoke again to Comfort Insurance who said that the Cali Beach is classed by them as a 'day van' which they said they would not insure. Clear as mud then.

 

[daveyboydanger]

Clear as mud then.

Yeah exactly. My beach is insured by comfort.

 

[s2bear]

Yeah exactly. My beach is insured by comfort.

I hear you. The lady from Comfort Insurance last week said they had some Cali Beach on their books and won't insure one if it ISN'T 'motor caravan'. My existing insurer (Aviva) wouldn't insure a Cali Beach as they said it IS a Motor Caravan... they referred me to Comfort Insurance. Back to the drawing board.

 

[daveyboydanger]

I hear you. The lady from Comfort Insurance last week said they had some Cali Beach on their books and won't insure one if it ISN'T 'motor caravan'. My existing insurer (Aviva) wouldn't insure a Cali Beach as they said it IS a Motor Caravan... they referred me to Comfort Insurance. Back to the drawing board.

I feel your pain. So frustrating isn't it!?

 

[s2bear]

I feel your pain. So frustrating isn't it!?

it may well drive me a little bit mental!

 

[Goldie]

The actual DVLA article is about converted motor caravans and the intro does mention other factors about looking like a motor home etc. So police can identify vehicles.

The Beach and Ocean are not conversions and have identical bodies, just different internal fittings. Motor Caravan is a much closer description than PLG, which sounds like a van. I don't think it is unreasonable to classify both as a Motor Caravan.

Andy

 

[WelshGas]

Personally I do think there is a difference. But putting that aside, a can of worms will be opened if the lady at DVLA decides to take it further. Also the vehicle in question may be devalued if classed as a PLG , not Diesel Car and with a different Body Type.

 

[Goldie]

Personally I do think there is a difference. But putting that aside, a can of worms will be opened if the lady at DVLA decides to take it further. Also the vehicle in question may be devalued if classed as a PLG , not Diesel Car and with a different Body Type.

Exactly, why rock the boat when the current situation suits Beach owners - the OP was looking to buy and doesn't actually own a Beach according to the profile. Why not just buy the vehicle and accept the V5c that comes with it?

I can't understand why you wouldn't let the dealer register the vehicle as a 'Motor Caravan' as they have done for all Beach owners.

For a vehicle to be registered with DVLA and certified for use on UK roads,the importer VW UK would have jumped through no end of compliance hoops and DVLA would have put it in the most suitable category. Behind the scenes there may also be some EU legislation/rules etc.

Not a problem for me or most Beach owners on here. (Even though I'm in NZ both Beach's owned have been purchased, registered and used in UK.)

Andy

 

[WelshGas]

Exactly, why rock the boat when the current situation suits Beach owners - the OP was looking to buy and doesn't actually own a Beach according to the profile. Why not just buy the vehicle and accept the V5c that comes with it?

I can't understand why you wouldn't let the dealer register the vehicle as a 'Motor Caravan' as they have done for all Beach owners.

For a vehicle to be registered with DVLA and certified for use on UK roads,the importer VW UK would have jumped through no end of compliance hoops and DVLA would have put it in the most suitable category. Behind the scenes there may also be some EU legislation/rules etc.

Not a problem for me or most Beach owners on here. (Even though I'm in NZ both Beach's owned have been purchased, registered and used in UK.)

Andy

i believe he might be importing it into the uk.

 

[s2bear]

Exactly, why rock the boat when the current situation suits Beach owners - the OP was looking to buy and doesn't actually own a Beach according to the profile. Why not just buy the vehicle and accept the V5c that comes with it?

I can't understand why you wouldn't let the dealer register the vehicle as a 'Motor Caravan' as they have done for all Beach owners.

For a vehicle to be registered with DVLA and certified for use on UK roads,the importer VW UK would have jumped through no end of compliance hoops and DVLA would have put it in the most suitable category. Behind the scenes there may also be some EU legislation/rules etc.

Not a problem for me or most Beach owners on here. (Even though I'm in NZ both Beach's owned have been purchased, registered and used in UK.)

Andy

I'm importing the vehicle so unfortunately it doesnt' come with a V5. I have to put the info on a form for DVLA to create a V5. I'm not sure why the DVLA would specify one set of rules for converted 'motor caravans' and a different one for manufactured 'motor caravans' so was using their guidelines. The DVLA was pretty clear. Comfort said the Beach is technically a Day Van which they wouldn't insure. Aviva said they would insure the Beach if it was classed as PLG. I'd be really interested to know if there's a single Beach owner that has theirs classified as PLG rather than 'Motor Caravan'. P.s. Is there any benefit to having a Beach classified as a motor caravan as opposed to PLG and vice versa? Stu

 

[WelshGas]

I'm importing the vehicle so unfortunately it doesnt' come with a V5. I have to put the info on a form for DVLA to create a V5. I'm not sure why the DVLA would specify one set of rules for converted 'motor caravans' and a different one for manufactured 'motor caravans' so was using their guidelines. The DVLA was pretty clear. Comfort said the Beach is technically a Day Van which they wouldn't insure. Aviva said they would insure the Beach if it was classed as PLG. I'd be really interested to know if there's a single Beach owner that has theirs classified as PLG rather than 'Motor Caravan'. P.s. Is there any benefit to having a Beach classified as a motor caravan as opposed to PLG and vice versa? Stu

Speed limits ? Will it be Classed as M1 Diesel Car or N1 Commercial/Goods Vehicle, because if it is N1 then there are lower speed limits enforced.

 

[s2bear]

Speed limits ? Will it be Classed as M1 Diesel Car or N1 Commercial/Goods Vehicle, because if it is N1 then there are lower speed limits enforced.

Diesel Car.

 

[WelshGas]

Diesel Car.

Shouldn't make too much difference then except you may not be able to use the normal Motor Caravan Specialist Insurers and resale value may be affected .

 

[Steve39]

I've just insured my incoming Beach with Comfort without any hassle at all. They did ask for confirmation of body type which my dealer checked for me.

I've been following this forum for 5 years whilst considering buying. I have never read of a Beach being classed as PLG.

So if VW dealers and owners are all in consensus that a Beach should be / is classed as Motorhome why not go with the flow and put what everyone else has put in the box?

If it would give you some comfort why not put the question to VWCS and/or a dealer and get confirmation as to how they class it? Like someone said this must have been done in conjunction with DVLA.

 

[Goldie]

I'm importing the vehicle so unfortunately it doesnt' come with a V5. I have to put the info on a form for DVLA to create a V5. I'm not sure why the DVLA would specify one set of rules for converted 'motor caravans' and a different one for manufactured 'motor caravans' so was using their guidelines. The DVLA was pretty clear. Comfort said the Beach is technically a Day Van which they wouldn't insure. Aviva said they would insure the Beach if it was classed as PLG. I'd be really interested to know if there's a single Beach owner that has theirs classified as PLG rather than 'Motor Caravan'. P.s. Is there any benefit to having a Beach classified as a motor caravan as opposed to PLG and vice versa? Stu

I have attached a redacted copy of my T5 Beach V5. All the information with a tick next to it is available in the Statement of Compliance / Type Approval. I can't find my Beach one at the moment, so I've uploaded a certificate for a VW Golf. Note that VW UK will only supply them for UK supplied vehicles according to the form I have from them. So you will need to apply to the head office of VW in the country where you are buying it.

Both my T5 and T6 Beach's have a body type of 'Motor Caravan' and taxation class of 'Diesel Car'. Even though both have only four seats, the number of seats on the V5 is 7 seats. I suggest you use the same information.

You probably need to get a Statement of Compliance and sit down with a V5 from a UK Beach T6 and use that to complete the form. Without it, you won't have all the necessary information and it's in German.

I'm applying for T6 Compliance Statement today so I can import my Beach into NZ.

Hopefully this is useful.

Andy

 

[s2bear]

I have attached a redacted copy of my T5 Beach V5. All the information with a tick next to it is available in the Statement of Compliance / Type Approval. I can't find my Beach one at the moment, so I've uploaded a certificate for a VW Golf. Note that VW UK will only supply them for UK supplied vehicles according to the form I have from them. So you will need to apply to the head office of VW in the country where you are buying it.

Both my T5 and T6 Beach's have a body type of 'Motor Caravan' and taxation class of 'Diesel Car'. Even though both have only four seats, the number of seats on the V5 is 7 seats. I suggest you use the same information.

You probably need to get a Statement of Compliance and sit down with a V5 from a UK Beach T6 and use that to complete the form. Without it, you won't have all the necessary information and it's in German.

I'm applying for T6 Compliance Statement today so I can import my Beach into NZ.

Hopefully this is useful.

Andy

Thanks, Andy. That's really kind.
I'm buying a new one and the dealer is supplying the Cert of Conformity which I have to send to the VCA with some garage paperwork before it then goes to the DVLA. I'm not looking to rock any boats, more just trying to avoid delays/knock backs with the DVLA. Seems 'Motor Caravan' is the way to go for an easy life.

Stu

 

[Goldie]

Thanks, Andy. That's really kind.
I'm buying a new one and the dealer is supplying the Cert of Conformity which I have to send to the VCA with some garage paperwork before it then goes to the DVLA. I'm not looking to rock any boats, more just trying to avoid delays/knock backs with the DVLA. Seems 'Motor Caravan' is the way to go for an easy life.

Stu

If you need a T6 V5 message me with your email address and I'll send you a redacted copy of mine. It may help when you get the Certificate which will be in German.

Andy