Why no separate vehicle tax class for Euro 6 compliant light goods vehicles?

oatkinso

Another frustrating thing is that its classed as a 'goods' vehicle. Im not a trader/workman etc., I just enjoy having a van so I can sling my muddy mountain bike in the back of it or sleep in the back of it on occasion.

If my van was considered a 'car' I'd only be charged £160 in tax a year. I can see that you can apply to get your vehicle tax class changed, does anyone know if this can be done on the grounds of a 'goods' vehicle not being used as a 'goods' vehicle?

Why are there different amounts of tax charged depending on whether a vehicle is a van or a car? They're both just engines connected to wheels with a metal body and windows at the end of the day?!

Ectophile

oatkinso said:

If my van was considered a 'car' I'd only be charged £160 in tax a year. I can see that you can apply to get your vehicle tax class changed, does anyone know if this can be done on the grounds of a 'goods' vehicle not being used as a 'goods' vehicle?

Only if you actually convert it into a passenger vehicle.  A minibus is essentially a van with windows and extra seats.  But that makes all the difference for tax purposes.

What you use the vehicle for makes no difference.

sheramber

maxmycardagain said:

Norman_Castle said:

sheramber said:

Why does my 2017 petrol car costs £150 tax but my 2011 diesel  cost £20

To allow you to save for a new particulate filter.

And a EGR valve, DMF and clutch, 4 injectors at £500 each and a VGT (turbo) choked by the EGR with oily soot

(done these, had the bill)

Hand up who thought a diesel would be cheap to run but never saw the 70MPG promised?

Had the diesel car for 11 years and did none of these. 

forgotmyname

maxmycardagain said:

And a EGR valve, DMF and clutch, 4 injectors at £500 each and a VGT (turbo) choked by the EGR with oily soot

(done these, had the bill)

Hand up who thought a diesel would be cheap to run but never saw the 70MPG promised?

So true, steady journey covering 300+ miles of mainly Motorway and fairly quiet A roads with a maximum of only 68.7mpg.

Although it did seem fairly good for an aging 2.2L Mondeo Estate with over 150,000 miles on the clock.  Way better than
older cars that dipped into single figures on some journeys and were lucky to exceed 25mpg on a trip.

Newer diesel is better for the envioment so they tell me. It achieves that by throwing my expensive fuel into the exhaust
and bypassing the engine completely. I would have thought that was a trifle inefficient myself.

oatkinso

Ectophile said:

oatkinso said:

If my van was considered a 'car' I'd only be charged £160 in tax a year. I can see that you can apply to get your vehicle tax class changed, does anyone know if this can be done on the grounds of a 'goods' vehicle not being used as a 'goods' vehicle?

Only if you actually convert it into a passenger vehicle.  A minibus is essentially a van with windows and extra seats.  But that makes all the difference for tax purposes.

What you use the vehicle for makes no difference.

Are you aware whether it could be changed to a ‘private’ light goods vehicle (class 11). Currently it’s class 39.