Can I change my 04 defender tax class?

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Mudstyler

Well-Known Member
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179
Location
Hants
I pay big wedge for road tax on my 2004 double cab. Since the later cars were registered as light commercial and get cheaper tax. Has anyone managed to change taxation class from plc to commercial?
 
I pay big wedge for road tax on my 2004 double cab. Since the later cars were registered as light commercial and get cheaper tax. Has anyone managed to change taxation class from plc to commercial?
You can't. Your tax class is based on what it was first registered as.
 
I don't think you will be able to as you are not altering the vehicle, but even if you could you might have found any benefit would have been wiped out by increased insurance. I once swapped my TD5 twin cab Black Limited edition for a bog standard TD5 Twin cab and when I rang my insurance to change registration no.s I was horrified to find out there was quite a considerable increase in the premium. I explained that the previous vehicle was the much more upmarket and sought after version with leather seats, air con electric windows , roll cage etc. and that my new vehicle was just the basic version with same body, engine brakes etc. so should actually be cheaper and they replied that my Black edition was registered as a car where as my basic one was registered as a commercial vehicle so more expensive to insure.
 
I'm intrigued what one of the changes to your vehicle did you make from the list below / link above that allowed the tax change?

Vehicle changes that affect tax
If you make changes to your vehicle it could affect:

Changes that affect your vehicle include:

  • the engine size (cc)
  • the fuel type
  • the weight (goods vehicles only)
  • the number of seats (buses only)
  • what you use the vehicle for, for example using a minibus for profit
You will not have to pay vehicle tax or will pay a lower rate if it’s being used by:

  • a disabled person
  • an organisation providing transport for disabled people
 
There is a few down sides to changing to commercial tho.

plod don’t need a reason to pull you over.
Can’t go to the council tip.
National speed limit change changes to 50.
 
Single carriage ways 50
Double carriage way 60
Motorway 70
As a commercial.



Fastest thing on the planet is a white van driven by a hi vis vest lol.
 
Sorry to open this up again. I have a similar issue in that I am looking to buy a 2000m/y Defender 90 that is classified as a van (according to the insurance company) as is did not have windows in the rear side panels when it was new. The car has now got side windows fitted and so I would like to change the tax class to a car as the insurance is cheaper. Has anyone got any advice or have done this. Thanks
 
Well I nearly bought a ps10 stationwagon but my insurance insisted it was a van, even though DVLA said it wasn't. And even though as a Car my quotes were 250 odd, cheapest quote on ps10 was well over 400 "because it's a van"
Regardless of what the dvla say, insurance will treat it as whatever they think it is. So change the tax class, chances are the insurance will stay the same
 
Sorry to open this up again. I have a similar issue in that I am looking to buy a 2000m/y Defender 90 that is classified as a van (according to the insurance company) as is did not have windows in the rear side panels when it was new. The car has now got side windows fitted and so I would like to change the tax class to a car as the insurance is cheaper. Has anyone got any advice or have done this. Thanks
looked at this with mine, was advised needed seats and seat belts fitted in the rear.
 
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