When is a Van really a car..?

nigeats1965

Yeah, I know never but  really, when it is described by the manufacturer as a Van Derived Car, it drives like a car, the inside looks like a car.   It is kitted out better than many cars. It has no boot or rear storage where the rear doors are due to the second row of seats having been moved backwards to create an extended area between 2nd row passengers and front seat passenger and driver. The Car Derived Van goes like "s*&t off a shovel" if the accelerator pedal is pressed accordingly so it can easily overtake any, well most cars on the motorway if required to do so to get out of any issues or situations that develop. The V5 clearly  states it is a van but it cannot be used for commercial purposes and is definitely not a trade vehicle. It is designed  and used solely  for family events like many other Car Derived Van's of similar makes and models. Can the Taxation  Class be altered and if not why not. Basically it's a large car officially its a Van but is it really?  Legally it can only do 60mph on unrestricted highways which is far too slow for this type of vehicle and model.  Like I say, it is a van but is it really?

Car_54

If it really is a CDV (and less than 2 tonnes MLM) then it is subject to the same speed limits as a car.

What make and model are we looking at?

Alanp

A fiesta van is classed as a car and not subject to the speed limits vans are, unless it’s changed

AdrianC

Car_54 said:

If it really is a CDV (and less than 2 tonnes MLM) then it is subject to the same speed limits as a car.

What make and model are we looking at?

^ This

Also, is it M1 or N1 type approval?

And why can't it be used "for commercial purposes"?

Norman_Castle

nigeats1965 said:

 it is a van but is it really?

Is it beyond you to tell us what this vehicle is that you are so amazed by?

NBLondon

nigeats1965 said:

 It has no boot or rear storage where the rear doors are due to the second row of seats having been moved backwards to create an extended area between 2nd row passengers and front seat passenger and driver. 

That sounds more like a taxi conversion or luxury people carrier based on a van platform.  Mercedes Vito?

foxy-stoat

nigeats1965 said:

The Car Derived Van goes like "s*&t off a shovel" if the accelerator pedal is pressed accordingly so it can easily overtake any, well most cars on the motorway if required to do so to get out of any issues or situations that develop. 

What does that even mean?  0-60 is less than 5 seconds or it can go faster than 70 mph?

AdrianC

foxy-stoat said:

nigeats1965 said:

The Car Derived Van goes like "s*&t off a shovel" if the accelerator pedal is pressed accordingly so it can easily overtake any, well most cars on the motorway if required to do so to get out of any issues or situations that develop. 

What does that even mean?  0-60 is less than 5 seconds or it can go faster than 70 mph?

I'm reminded of the first item in this list...

foxy-stoat

Wow...part of the sales and marketing wording...."includes front seat belts"....how we have moved on in the world.

Goudy

There is a Car and Van version of a model that's almost identical. The Fiat Doblo.
You can buy the M1 Car version with 5 or 7 seats (and no boot space with 7), but you can also by a N1 Van version with, 2, 5 or 7 seats as a Van or Crew bus.
I seem to think the new Combo/Partner/Rifter/Belingo can also be had in these different flavours now as well.
M1 cars with 5/7 seats or N1 Vans and Crew buses with 2/3/5 or 7 seats.

I know you can change the body type of a standard panel van to a motor caravan and this allows you to travel at 70 mph, though you need to add seats and table, sleeping accommodation, cooking facilities and storage but i believe DVLA are trying to close this loop by adding some additional external camper features as well.

AdrianC

Goudy said:

I know you can change the body type of a standard panel van to a motor caravan and this allows you to travel at 70 mph, though you need to add seats and table, sleeping accommodation, cooking facilities and storage but i believe DVLA are trying to close this loop by adding some additional external camper features as well.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motor-caravan/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motor-caravan

None of it's particularly onerous, assuming you actually want a camper, rather than a van-with-a-loophole...

Windows, table, cooker, bed, storage, a door that lets you straight into the living space. Nobody could argue with those, surely?

An awning and a fixed high-top, so you can actually stand up in it without having to muck about with a pop-top. It doesn't even need any fixed water tank/tap/sink...

The only one that's anything but utterly straightforward is "motor caravan-style graphics on both sides", whatever that actually means. But, basically, "Doesn't look like a builder's van" - they're trying to cut down on stealth vans. Well, once the V5C's through, you could always peel the stickers off...