How long to reregister self build van as motor caravan with DVLA

[Moped]

Just curious as to length of time this takes as a friend of mine cannot sort out his insurance or even obtain quotes from motor home brokers until his conversion is reregistered. How does this affect vehicle taxation rates? It is a 2015 1.6VW stealth vehicle valued at well under the £40000 threshold.

Cheers
Moped

 

[edina]

I sent off pics, letter etc and had new V5c back within a fortnight. I think there's a template letter on DVLA website.

 

[hextal]

When you say "stealth", do you mean it will have no windows? If so the DVLA won't accept it as a motor caravan.

There are a number of insurers who will insure you whilst you convert the van though. I used Shield, but there were several others.

 

[Obanboy666]

I sent off pics, letter etc and had new V5c back within a fortnight. I think there's a template letter on DVLA website.

Same here although I bought mine as a finished conversion from Devon Conversions.
It was easier for me to do the paperwork.
Regarding stealth, link states at least one window in the side of the accommodation.
Converting a vehicle into a motorhome - GOV.UK

 

[wildebus]

Length of time seems to vary by season and workload. Coming into summertime, expect delays with holidays taken.


Ref Insurance, maybe a preferred insurer wants the vehicle to be a "Motor Caravan" but there would be no problems getting a camper insured as a campervan with loads of insurers even if not reclassified.

My last three vans were all insured as Campers even though only one was a "Motor Caravan" (and even then only for one insurance period of the two I had). Price wise, made no difference either.

 

[edina]

Re insurance:- after conversion I upped the value to include cost of items, materials etc and a buffer for labour - the ins price was a lot cheaper than when it was a 'campervan under conversion'!

 

[wildebus]

Re insurance:- after conversion I upped the value to include cost of items, materials etc and a buffer for labour - the ins price was a lot cheaper than when it was a 'campervan under conversion'!

The value YOU told them doesn't mean it is the value THEY will pay though - or did you have a proper Agreed value?

(The value I put on my campers when being converted was the converted value, not the base value as well, so never changed it as being officially a "Motor Caravan" doesn't change the value)

 

[edina]

The value YOU told them doesn't mean it is the value THEY will pay though - or did you have a proper Agreed value?

(The value I put on my campers when being converted was the converted value, not the base value as well, so never changed it as being officially a "Motor Caravan" doesn't change the value)

No, the point I was making was that with the fitout and equipment, I expected the premium to rise, not fall.

 

[wildebus]

No, the point I was making was that with the fitout and equipment, I expected the premium to rise, not fall.

You would think that, yes. It would make sense but who knows the machinations of the insurance world?!

Certainly the quotes I got for my VW T4 on a commercial van policy and also my VW T5 on a car policy (it was a Shuttle) were both more expensive then the policies I actually took out (campervan policies) with a higher quoted value for each.
I didn't bother even getting a commercial van quote for my LT LWB as took out specialist Camper policy immediately (still not a "Motor Caravan" a year later but maybe later this month ... )

(I don't bother adjusting the value as the conversions take place - I just start at the expected final value, so don't have a before and after comparison)