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1968Luke



Member Since: 25 Jan 2024
Location: Essex
Posts: 3

United Kingdom 
Hard top seat modifications
Hi, I have converted my hard top 90 with rear seats and glass side panels, it’s great but the problem I have is the seats are manual and don’t slide forward far enough to allow much room to climb in the back. I have removed the passenger seat and tried to see what’s stops the seat but I can’t for the life of me figure it out, if anyone has any info or a diagram of the seat track assembly I would be most grateful
Post #1032138 19th Apr 2024 1:45pm
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lightning



Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 2259

United Kingdom 
It's probably down to you, to figure it out.

How did you get on with insurance once it was converted? As it's effectively change of use.
Post #1032144 19th Apr 2024 2:18pm
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LR Nuts



Member Since: 10 Aug 2022
Location: UK
Posts: 835

 
...... and the DVLA, Tax implications
Post #1032147 19th Apr 2024 2:34pm
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1968Luke



Member Since: 25 Jan 2024
Location: Essex
Posts: 3

United Kingdom 
You only need tell the insurance about the modifications, it’s still classed as commercial, didn’t affect me premium.

What does it have to do with DVLA?
Post #1032150 19th Apr 2024 3:27pm
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Defendit..



Member Since: 09 Aug 2020
Location: 's-Hertogenbosch
Posts: 369

Netherlands 
Did your car get the new sliders ? RMA, don't know the number. No Mud flaps for my 90.!
-----------------------------------------
P300 S MY21 on air, adv.+ offroad pack, DRL+fog, Dinamica Suedecloth + Ebony headliner/Cross Beam- Many Mods..
Post #1032151 19th Apr 2024 3:37pm
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camelman



Member Since: 27 Feb 2013
Location: Peak District
Posts: 3326

United Kingdom 
Yep, it will still be 'N1' on the V5, however it doesn't count as a commercial vehicle any longer with HMRC if it is being used by a business. It will attract company car tax based on its new list price rather than van benefit in kind of £3500.

You're still limited by the van speed limits though of 60mph on dual carriageways and 50mph on single carriageway Sad 
Post #1032152 19th Apr 2024 3:45pm
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lightning



Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 2259

United Kingdom 
l have looked in to it as l have a 90 Commercial.

The law is quite complex on this subject. lt also depends on whether you are actually using it as a commercial vehicle for tax purposes.

lf you remove the bulkhead from a Defender Commercial and fit seats/seat belts/windows it could be argued that it is then primarily a passenger vehicle rather than a Commercial vehicle.

l am not sure how this would impact the VAT/tax element or BIK.

https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/hmrc-carvan-argument


Last edited by lightning on 21st Apr 2024 10:49am. Edited 1 time in total
Post #1032250 20th Apr 2024 6:55pm
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Moo



Member Since: 01 Oct 2021
Location: Bath
Posts: 1043

Ukraine 
Just sell it and buy a non commercial 90. I think there is still a premium on used HT 90s. Eiger Grey MY23 D250 SE with bits. Known as Noddy.
Post #1032253 20th Apr 2024 7:34pm
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walfy



Member Since: 29 Aug 2007
Location: Frome
Posts: 2642

 
Difference in RFL between a station wagon version and commercial version is huge. Especially the first year 110 D250 SE HT
110 USW SOLD
RRE HSE Dynamic Gone, wife killed it
VOLVO XC60 R Dynamic with some toys

Polaris RZR 900XP SOLD
Post #1032328 21st Apr 2024 5:27pm
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lightning



Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 2259

United Kingdom 
Yes the Commercial is exempt from the first years road tax which is around £2,500
Post #1032389 22nd Apr 2024 10:57am
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Chicken Drumstick



Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 548

United Kingdom 
1968Luke wrote:
You only need tell the insurance about the modifications, it’s still classed as commercial, didn’t affect me premium.

What does it have to do with DVLA?


https://www.gov.uk/government/publications...n-the-rear

Is a goods vehicle still a goods vehicle, even if it has seats in the back?
That depends on the particular circumstances. A goods vehicle is ‘a motor vehicle constructed or adapted for use for the carriage or haulage of goods or burden of any description’. A passenger vehicle is ‘a vehicle constructed solely for the carriage of passengers and their effects’.

If, by adding extra seats, all the load space was now taken up by passengers and their effects, a court might decide that the vehicle now fell under the description of ‘passenger vehicle’ rather than ‘goods vehicle’ and would need to meet the regulations that applied to passenger vehicles. This could affect the requirements for items such as seatbelts and brakes, as well as licensing requirements.


_______________________

One may assume the reason you went for a commercial variant was due to tax implications. Converting to be essentially a 'car' would be a form of tax evasion.
Post #1032420 22nd Apr 2024 5:06pm
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lightning



Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 2259

United Kingdom 
What he said.

lt's all okay until you get caught. Then the sh*t will really hit the fan.
Post #1032731 24th Apr 2024 9:47pm
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Moo



Member Since: 01 Oct 2021
Location: Bath
Posts: 1043

Ukraine 
I think just from an insurance point of view it's too risky. The car you're building is not the car that was classified as a commercial vehicle. Eiger Grey MY23 D250 SE with bits. Known as Noddy.
Post #1032739 24th Apr 2024 10:36pm
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lightning



Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 2259

United Kingdom 
l think we may have scared the O/P off.

But that wasn't the intention, certainly not from me. It's just that modification to a Commercial Vehicle such as fitting seats/windows etc has fairly severe consequences if you get caught.
Post #1033441 30th Apr 2024 8:45pm
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Moo



Member Since: 01 Oct 2021
Location: Bath
Posts: 1043

Ukraine 
Perhaps its that few posts and go syndrome. Eiger Grey MY23 D250 SE with bits. Known as Noddy.
Post #1033459 30th Apr 2024 11:29pm
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