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Tfaerch

Member Since: 16 Aug 2015
Location: Copenhagen
Posts: 18

Why are most UK 90" Panel Vans?

As far as I have noticed, allmost all UK 90" "vans" a without windows in the HT.
Like this one.

Click image to enlarge

Why?
Some stupid (tax) law?

6th Sep 2015 6:10am

GREENI

Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10367

No tax difference, though you did pay VAT on the purchase of a commercial vehicle.
A lot of older versions were (what are known in the UK as) hard tops because they were mainly bought by farmers and utility companies, plant operators etc and at the end of their working life they were bought by us and used as we use them.
Truck cabs were a popular choice by farmers and still are, as the canopy separated the cab from the sheepdogs/hay bales etc.

I think it's fair to say a lot of people on here, who've had Defenders for years, would have had a Defender that was once a farm truck and had hay under the seats!

A few companies in the UK make a good living buying the farmers trucks and straighten them out and paint them, to market to the public.

6th Sep 2015 7:24am

Lambley

Member Since: 20 Apr 2013
Location: Mid Devon
Posts: 1435

The Benefit in Kind is a lot less on a 'Van' as it's classed as a Commercial Vehicle, that's why I run mine on the Company, just costs a lot less on personal tax than running anything else.

6th Sep 2015 9:04am

Retroanaconda

Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2560

Because over here they are largely used as intended, as utility vehicles built to do a job - not an estate car for taking kids to school.

Though the lifestyle market has in recent years got a lot bigger than the utility one, when I was at the factory a week or so back the number of true utility Land Rovers coming off the line was very small compared to all the station wagons and blingy XS or celebration series ones.

6th Sep 2015 9:21am

Mach1

Member Since: 05 Nov 2012
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 78

2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS DCPU Aintree Green

It's all about the tax! If you buy an HT 'panel van' through a business you can reclaim the VAT element.

Also it is more likely to be seen as a pool vehicle so as long as you only use it for business there's no benefit in kind.

6th Sep 2015 9:26am

Likeomg

Member Since: 29 Jun 2012
Location: Lake District / Newcastle
Posts: 2627

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey

I bought a HT because of the storage space, can get 4 large adult bikes in with no problem. probably more if i stuffed them in but when the price of 4 bikes adds up to more than the car you have to be careful...

6th Sep 2015 10:21am

shaggydog

Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3346

1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue

And they are (were) the cheapest to buy new which I think has quite a big bearing on it, apart from possibly the pick-up versions but pick-ups are not that popular in the UK as they are not as secure as a hard top.

Just my opinion though

Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197

Self confessed mileage hunter

6th Sep 2015 12:14pm

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