mick miller
Member
- Posts
- 83
- Location
- Hertfordshire
Following a few PM's asking how to get your Defender exempted from the 2012 changes to the LEZ I thought I would create a quick step-by-step guide for all those CSW owners whose vehicles are currently listed as having the body type: Light Utility 4x4.
Firstly, you need to check your VIN. Plenty of vehicles that appear to be CSW are in actual fact later conversions, with windows and seats added. In order to meet the DVLA's requirements for changing the body type you must have a genuine CSW from manufacture.
If you have a 90 CSW the 7th letter of the VIN will be a 'B'. If you have a 110 CSW the 7th letter will be an 'M'.
Also, check that your V5C states 'County SW' in section D.3. If you have met all those criteria then please read on.
Next step is to take several photos of your CSW, ensure all seats and windows are in situ, if your County has had panel sides fitted and the seats removed you'll be stuffed as far as getting the body type changed. You will need to have the vehicle as originally manufactured, after all, you're stating to the DVLA that your vehicles primary purpose is the transportation of passengers, not goods. Panel sides and no seats doesn't exactly scream 'family car'.
So take the photos, take photos of the front seating arrangement, and the rear seats including any jump seats in the folded down position, make it look like a family car, albeit a rather chunky, biscuit tin type one. Include the number plate in at least one photo. I took a pic of the rear door open, number plate in view with the seats folded down. They (DVLA) need to be able to marry the photos of the interior to the licence plate.
Next, get your V5C; in section D.5 cross out Light Utility 4x4 and write in black pen 'Estate'.
In section 7. write ESTATE in the box marked Wheelplan/Body Type.
Get your photos and your V5C together and get ready for the next step, a nice, friendly, polite letter.
For guidance I wrote something along these lines. I really would suggest you use this as a guide and all word it in your own way, otherwise it'll begin to look like somebody has posted a how-to on the interweb and a bunch of lazy gits have simply cut'n'pasted it. Funny that.
"Dear Sir/ Madam,
Please find my returned V5C document enclosed. I wish to have the correct classification of body type added to section D.5.
According to the V5C my vehicle is listed as a being a Light Utility 4x4, which is the classification for a panel sided van. However, my vehicle is a ‘County Station Wagon’ or ‘Estate’ vehicle primarily designed to carry passengers and is fitted with (X) seats. My V5C lists this classification correctly under model (D.3) but incorrectly under body type (D.5).
I've attached photos of both the inside and outside of my car so you can see the seating arrangement and that it is an estate vehicle designed to carry passengers not goods.
I would be grateful if you could make the corrections and send the document back to me.
Best regards,"
Finally, get your V5C, the photos, the nice letter to the DVLA and staple the lot together so that it doesn't end up in several different pieces when it reaches it's destination, much like a Freelander would. Post it to, and this bit is important so pay attention, the address ON THE REVERSE OF SECTION 10.
Good luck,
Mick.
Firstly, you need to check your VIN. Plenty of vehicles that appear to be CSW are in actual fact later conversions, with windows and seats added. In order to meet the DVLA's requirements for changing the body type you must have a genuine CSW from manufacture.
If you have a 90 CSW the 7th letter of the VIN will be a 'B'. If you have a 110 CSW the 7th letter will be an 'M'.
Also, check that your V5C states 'County SW' in section D.3. If you have met all those criteria then please read on.
Next step is to take several photos of your CSW, ensure all seats and windows are in situ, if your County has had panel sides fitted and the seats removed you'll be stuffed as far as getting the body type changed. You will need to have the vehicle as originally manufactured, after all, you're stating to the DVLA that your vehicles primary purpose is the transportation of passengers, not goods. Panel sides and no seats doesn't exactly scream 'family car'.
So take the photos, take photos of the front seating arrangement, and the rear seats including any jump seats in the folded down position, make it look like a family car, albeit a rather chunky, biscuit tin type one. Include the number plate in at least one photo. I took a pic of the rear door open, number plate in view with the seats folded down. They (DVLA) need to be able to marry the photos of the interior to the licence plate.
Next, get your V5C; in section D.5 cross out Light Utility 4x4 and write in black pen 'Estate'.
In section 7. write ESTATE in the box marked Wheelplan/Body Type.
Get your photos and your V5C together and get ready for the next step, a nice, friendly, polite letter.
For guidance I wrote something along these lines. I really would suggest you use this as a guide and all word it in your own way, otherwise it'll begin to look like somebody has posted a how-to on the interweb and a bunch of lazy gits have simply cut'n'pasted it. Funny that.
"Dear Sir/ Madam,
Please find my returned V5C document enclosed. I wish to have the correct classification of body type added to section D.5.
According to the V5C my vehicle is listed as a being a Light Utility 4x4, which is the classification for a panel sided van. However, my vehicle is a ‘County Station Wagon’ or ‘Estate’ vehicle primarily designed to carry passengers and is fitted with (X) seats. My V5C lists this classification correctly under model (D.3) but incorrectly under body type (D.5).
I've attached photos of both the inside and outside of my car so you can see the seating arrangement and that it is an estate vehicle designed to carry passengers not goods.
I would be grateful if you could make the corrections and send the document back to me.
Best regards,"
Finally, get your V5C, the photos, the nice letter to the DVLA and staple the lot together so that it doesn't end up in several different pieces when it reaches it's destination, much like a Freelander would. Post it to, and this bit is important so pay attention, the address ON THE REVERSE OF SECTION 10.
Good luck,
Mick.
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