New DVLA classification ?

[Derrick’s dad]

Having just purchased my California Ocean, I obviously had to insure it and as such contacted Comfort insurance. I was very pleased with their quote and service but one thing unexpectedly came to light, the lady stated that my California was showing as an MPV on their database and not a campervan ( or motor caravan, can’t remember fully ) as it should be.The insurance database is based on the DVLA details and as such she advised me to get in touch with the dealership to rectify the mistake.
I contacted my VW dealership and highlighted the issue and they then found that three California’s that they had registered new this year were also shown as MPV and queried this with VW HQ. Below is the reply -

“The California’s are now classed as Body Type MPV they do not use CamperVan, please see below L

Vehicles registered with body type 96 will have MPV on the V5. This is not an internal issue, DVLA have changed the rules in terms of what body types can be used for tax class DC and PC. Historically, vehicles could be registered with body type 27 motor caravan in tax class DC & PC but DVLA have stopped this. As such the California model is now registered with body type MPV not motor caravan.”

Before I go back to Comfort Insurance and update them, has anyone else had this raised with them ? Is it correct ? Has anyone had a California registered as new since January this year and what is its classification ?

Sorry if this has previously discussed but I couldn’t find any info on here. Thanks

 

[Digger]

Is this so DVLA can increase the excise duty in the future. I always suspect these things as I never trust politicians and their motives

 

[Lightning]

Does this mean that it cannot be insured by Comfort/ CCC etc? Specialist insurance companies? It may be a significant change for people wanting to do extended or long term trips in Europe, as these specialist policies cover this whereas car policies don’t normally.


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[Perfectos]

Hi Dereks Dad,

I have no experience of this, although this can be checked with the DVLA direct, drop them an email or give them a call for the definitive answer

 

[Loz]

I’m sure they will adapt to the change as the model is still the same.

 

[Bellcrew]

Having just purchased my California Ocean, I obviously had to insure it and as such contacted Comfort insurance. I was very pleased with their quote and service but one thing unexpectedly came to light, the lady stated that my California was showing as an MPV on their database and not a campervan ( or motor caravan, can’t remember fully ) as it should be.The insurance database is based on the DVLA details and as such she advised me to get in touch with the dealership to rectify the mistake.
I contacted my VW dealership and highlighted the issue and they then found that three California’s that they had registered new this year were also shown as MPV and queried this with VW HQ. Below is the reply -

“The California’s are now classed as Body Type MPV they do not use CamperVan, please see below L

Vehicles registered with body type 96 will have MPV on the V5. This is not an internal issue, DVLA have changed the rules in terms of what body types can be used for tax class DC and PC. Historically, vehicles could be registered with body type 27 motor caravan in tax class DC & PC but DVLA have stopped this. As such the California model is now registered with body type MPV not motor caravan.”

Before I go back to Comfort Insurance and update them, has anyone else had this raised with them ? Is it correct ? Has anyone had a California registered as new since January this year and what is its classification ?

Sorry if this has previously discussed but I couldn’t find any info on here. Thanks

I wonder if this change could be done retrospectively, some members on here cannot park in their drives/leased estates because of covenants forbidding caravans. This change would effectively counter such prohibitions.

 

[Lightning]

The uk gov website still states it’s a legal requirement to classify a vehicle as a Motorcaravan on the V5 if it has all the specified features of one such as cooker, table, wardrobe, side window etc.




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[Bellcrew]

The uk gov website still states it’s a legal requirement to classify a vehicle as a Motorcaravan on the V5 if it has all the specified features of one such as cooker, table, wardrobe, side window etc.




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It is a requirement to avoid the slower speed limits imposed on commercial vehicles, since Mercedes registered all of their Marco Polo's as MPV's perhaps the prospect of higher road tax receipts have convinced the DVLA that California's should also be reclassified.

 

[Derrick’s dad]

To clarify some of the questions posed. I am insured, Comfort asked me to raise with VW and I have sent a message to the DVLA but awaiting a reply.

 

[Amarillo]

I wonder if this change could be done retrospectively, some members on here cannot park in their drives/leased estates because of covenants forbidding caravans. This change would effectively counter such prohibitions.

I think there is a First Tier Tribunal case currently in progress. This change from DVLA would strengthen the defendants’ case somewhat that their van is not a caravan.

 

[zinglefiffy]

Has anyone had a California registered as new since January this year and what is its classification ?

Mine was registered in April as a MPV - but its a Beach, I think this may have always been the case with the Beach due to lack of permanently fixed cooking equipment?

 

[Amarillo]

Mine was registered in April as a MPV - but its a Beach, I think this may have always been the case with the Beach due to lack of permanently fixed cooking equipment?

My 2017 Beach is registered as body type motorhome. I have an argument with Eurotunnel every time I buy a ticket that we don’t satisfy Eurotunnel’s very specific definition of a motorhome, even though that is the DVLA’s classification.

 

[MartG]

My 2017 Beach is registered as body type motorhome. I have an argument with Eurotunnel every time I buy a ticket that we don’t satisfy Eurotunnel’s very specific definition of a motorhome, even though that is the DVLA’s classification.

Interesting Tom, does the Eurotunnel give you a discount for motorhome over an MPV / campervan or is it that you don't want to be classed as a motorhome? Looking at Eurotunnel site, I can't see motorhome as an option...

 

[Amarillo]

Interesting Tom, does the Eurotunnel give you a discount for motorhome over an MPV / campervan or is it that you don't want to be classed as a motorhome? Looking at Eurotunnel site, I can't see motorhome as an option...

There is a small but significant price difference between a car over 6’ and a campervan.

 

[MartG]

There is a small but significant price difference between a car over 6’ and a campervan.

Got you! Your's is definitely a car over 6' then...

 

[Gary&Heather]

Our 2017 Beach is registered as a Motor caravan

 

[MartG]

DVLA! - They're not very consistent then... It looks pretty clear from their website -https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/registering-a-diy-caravan/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motorhome
that a Beach is NOT a motor caravan, whereas an Ocean is, with its affixed cooking & water facilities.
I guess they're both MPV's...

 

[Legin]

My Ocean registered 4th jan 19 as Motor Caravan

 

[Spottydog]

This will cause problems with some campsites too. I’ve had to confirm my Cali is shown as campervan on v5 before being allowed to book on to some sites including several in Norfolk. One even wanted to see the v5 before they would allow the booking.

 

[Monica]

Hi. Our Jan 19 registered Beach appears as motor csravan in the V5. It was an import and filled the documentation myself.

 

[Paul_W]

Having just purchased my California Ocean, I obviously had to insure it and as such contacted Comfort insurance. I was very pleased with their quote and service but one thing unexpectedly came to light, the lady stated that my California was showing as an MPV on their database and not a campervan ( or motor caravan, can’t remember fully ) as it should be.The insurance database is based on the DVLA details and as such she advised me to get in touch with the dealership to rectify the mistake.
I contacted my VW dealership and highlighted the issue and they then found that three California’s that they had registered new this year were also shown as MPV and queried this with VW HQ. Below is the reply -

“The California’s are now classed as Body Type MPV they do not use CamperVan, please see below L

Vehicles registered with body type 96 will have MPV on the V5. This is not an internal issue, DVLA have changed the rules in terms of what body types can be used for tax class DC and PC. Historically, vehicles could be registered with body type 27 motor caravan in tax class DC & PC but DVLA have stopped this. As such the California model is now registered with body type MPV not motor caravan.”

Before I go back to Comfort Insurance and update them, has anyone else had this raised with them ? Is it correct ? Has anyone had a California registered as new since January this year and what is its classification ?

Sorry if this has previously discussed but I couldn’t find any info on here. Thanks

Yikes another insurance headache, having recently gone through the whole insurance saga I can confirm lots of specialist insures will only cover vehicles on specific camper van / motor home policies If the v5 shows the vehicle as a motor caravan. I know people have had issues in the past with the beach because of the lack of permanent cooking equipment but I would have thought an Ocean would always be classified as a motor caravan!

 

[rod_vw]

The fact that an Ocean and a Beach have both been classified as 'Motor Caravan' on the V5C has always been an anomaly as a Beach does not satisfy the DVLA standards for a Motor Caravan.

As a 'self builder' I always have to send the DVLA pictures of the complete vehicle, the bed, cooker and storage etc all installed in the vehicle before they will change the body type. As for insurance, most companies will only allow a defined period for the conversion to be completed before I have to send a copy of the V5C confirming that the DVLA have accepted the vehicle as a Motor Caravan. Only at that point will they fully insure the vehicle as a Motor Caravan.

My conversions are always built on N1 classified vehicles i.e. Kombi bodies. I believe that your Californias are built on M1 classified bodies thus basically considered as passenger carrying vehicles. See https://www.vehicle-certification-agency.gov.uk/vehicletype/definition-of-vehicle-categories.asp for these classifications.

I am guessing that the DVLA are now looking at these body types and basing their body type for the V5C on that.

For those of you driving a Beach classified as Motor Caravan I would keep your heads down or you could find then re-classified as MPV or even Diesel Car resulting in extra tax and limitations on campsite access.

 

[LemonDrop]

I can't find the thread where @WelshGas suggested checking we were definitely insured with Safeguard due to the MPV classification issue (we have a 2019 Beach) but thought it might be useful info to others so am posting here!

I just called Safeguard to ask if they cover the Beach and the lady I spoke to said they do. I stressed that it is classified as an MPV on the V5 so can they definitely insure it and was told yes.

 

[JRD]

I have just experienced this problem. Yesterday I part exchanged my 2017 Ocean for a new Beach.
I don't have the log book yet but I am fairly certain my Beach will be classed as an MPV.
Because of this the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club have both told me they won't insure it. I will try LV and Safeguard next.

 

[Toothlessjon]

Having just purchased my California Ocean, I obviously had to insure it and as such contacted Comfort insurance. I was very pleased with their quote and service but one thing unexpectedly came to light, the lady stated that my California was showing as an MPV on their database and not a campervan ( or motor caravan, can’t remember fully ) as it should be.The insurance database is based on the DVLA details and as such she advised me to get in touch with the dealership to rectify the mistake.
I contacted my VW dealership and highlighted the issue and they then found that three California’s that they had registered new this year were also shown as MPV and queried this with VW HQ. Below is the reply -

“The California’s are now classed as Body Type MPV they do not use CamperVan, please see below L

Vehicles registered with body type 96 will have MPV on the V5. This is not an internal issue, DVLA have changed the rules in terms of what body types can be used for tax class DC and PC. Historically, vehicles could be registered with body type 27 motor caravan in tax class DC & PC but DVLA have stopped this. As such the California model is now registered with body type MPV not motor caravan.”

Before I go back to Comfort Insurance and update them, has anyone else had this raised with them ? Is it correct ? Has anyone had a California registered as new since January this year and what is its classification ?

Sorry if this has previously discussed but I couldn’t find any info on here. Thanks

Mine registered as an MPV.