Has my MH been downrated?

[Amanda Huggenkiss]

Hi... I'm selling my 2005 Swift Sundance 630L. Commonly the GVW is quoted as 3850kg.
However the log book states it's rated as "Private or Light Goods" and the revenue weight isn't stated (nothing listed on the gov.uk website either).
I can't find a (Swift) plate anywhere on the body of the van either - just the (original?) Fiat plate on the engine showing 3500kg.
There is nothing in our paperwork to show a change (we're the 3rd owner).

Can I assume the GWV is 3500kg?
thanks for reading

 

[Swifter]

Plate should be behind passenger seat .

 

[Boringfrog]

So when you go on the Gov site, I used the tax checker page, there's no revenue weight?

 

[Amanda Huggenkiss]

So when you go on the Gov site, I used the tax checker page, there's no revenue weight?View attachment 740838

 

[busbuddy]

Swift plate could be passenger or drivers side either on wooden panel or under removable plastic section on step. Brownhills used to upgrade them to 3850 as part of their special package but I've seen other 630 L and G at 3500

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[Amanda Huggenkiss]

Ok I found the plate now - it shows 3850. Just wondering how that tallies with the PLG classification but i guess it just didn't get registered with DVLA

 

[pappajohn]

Private light goods (PLG) is the
Wrong class

Private heavy goods (PHGV) is the normal class for any vehicle over 3500kg.
Your road tax should be £165 per year

 

[68c]

How much road fund tax are you paying, cheaper with a heavy van! Mad I know, I expect some politician has a heavy van. Be aware of 60mph speed restriction and many bridges rated at 3.5T.

 

[pappajohn]

Send the V5 to DVLA with a covering letter and a photo of both the vin plate and of the reg plate.
Problem is it could take weeks to get it returned and even then it may not get changed.
DVLA are notorious for vehicle weight cock-ups.

 

[poppycamper]

Be aware of 60mph speed restrictions

Not necessarily. Speed limits defined by 3050kg unladen weight... not gross weight.

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[Bobby-gg]

As pappajohn says, how much rfl are you paying?

£165, you're over 3500kg
£295 you're 3500kg or under.

I know prices have changed since gone up in the last budget, but was relating to the last price paid

 

[enark]

How much road fund tax are you paying, cheaper with a heavy van! Mad I know, I expect some politician has a heavy van. Be aware of 60mph speed restriction and many bridges rated at 3.5T.

Now we know which one…..ho ho

 

[Langtoftlad]

Have you got a C1 licence?

 

[nicholsong]

DVLA documentation and communications should carry a warning -

'No information in this document should be relied upon'

 

[Amanda Huggenkiss]

Have you got a C1 licence?

Yes, but potential buyer doesn't, hence I'm looking at downplating

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[Amanda Huggenkiss]

So the upshot is that I've found the Swift plate showing GWV at 3850.

I've agreed to downplate the van to 3500kg for the buyer (who doesn't have a C1 licence), so ultimately the V5 will come back still showing the category as PLG!

Also I now realise I've been paying too much road tax for 6 years
Thanks for all the responses so far - been very helpful.

 

[poppycamper]

So the upshot is that I've found the Swift plate showing GWV at 3850.

I've agreed to downplate the van to 3500kg for the buyer (who doesn't have a C1 licence), so ultimately the V5 will come back still showing the category as PLG!

Also I now realise I've been paying too much road tax for 6 years
Thanks for all the responses so far - been very helpful.

Glad you sorted..
Could have been an Interesti scenario if you were ever to be spot checked by VOSA.. they expecting 3500kg van and you significantly over this!

 

[nicholsong]

So the upshot is that I've found the Swift plate showing GWV at 3850.

I've agreed to downplate the van to 3500kg for the buyer (who doesn't have a C1 licence), so ultimately the V5 will come back still showing the category as PLG!

Also I now realise I've been paying too much road tax for 6 years
Thanks for all the responses so far - been very helpful.

It could take some weeks to get the revised V5c whether you do it or the buyer does it, during which time the buyer could not legally use it.

The buyer will have to re-register in his name, so could do that and downplating at the samee time.

That only leaves the matter of how it would be legally delivered to buyer's address. It may be easier for you to deliver it than to get into DVLA spider's web.

 

[Just smiffy]

I would advise getting the vehicle weighed and see if it can be down plated first plus to see how much payload it will have if it is under 3500..

 

[BikerGraham]

I may be wrong but to me if your have been paying the higher VED rate and it’s says PLG etc on the V5 then DVLA effectively have it registered as 3500kg. so someone has down plated it at some point in the past. It just also means they never applied and updated plate to the vehicle or it’s somewhere yet to be found. You just need to have a new plate made up.

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[andykim]

Is there a form to fill out for up rating on dvla website? I can't find it or do you just "write" to them giving copies of log book and up grade "cert"

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

I would advise getting the vehicle weighed and see if it can be down plated first plus to see how much payload it will have if it is under 3500..

If the seller does that it may end up a no sale

 

[Bobby-gg]

I may be wrong but to me if your have been paying the higher VED rate and it’s says PLG etc on the V5 then DVLA effectively have it registered as 3500kg. so someone has down plated it at some point in the past. It just also means they never applied and updated plate to the vehicle or it’s somewhere yet to be found. You just need to have a new plate made up.

I'm thinking that too

 

[Minxy]

How much road fund tax are you paying, cheaper with a heavy van! Mad I know, I expect some politician has a heavy van. Be aware of 60mph speed restriction and many bridges rated at 3.5T.

Nope ...

Not necessarily. Speed limits defined by 3050kg unladen weight... not gross weight.

Exactamundo!

 

[Minxy]

I may be wrong but to me if your have been paying the higher VED rate and it’s says PLG etc on the V5 then DVLA effectively have it registered as 3500kg. so someone has down plated it at some point in the past. It just also means they never applied and updated plate to the vehicle or it’s somewhere yet to be found. You just need to have a new plate made up.

Agreed, if paying tax at the PLG rate then there's no issue at all with having to down plate it (its only a paper exercise anyway) so long as it still has a usable amount of payload, seeing as it would probably have been 3500kg originally I don't see it as a major issue especially as older MHs were actually lighter than their current equivalent (lighter chassis, cab etc). Just take it to a weighbridge and check it so you aren't selling someone an unusable one (eg 30kg of payload left!).

Just be aware that if the buyer doesn't go ahead with it, to uprate it will cost you so make sure you get security deposit (non refundable) to cover the cost in case they back out.

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[Just smiffy]

If the seller does that it may end up a no sale

Exactly… I wouldn’t want to sell it to someone that can’t drive it legally….

 

[nicholsong]

Exactly… I wouldn’t want to sell it to someone that can’t drive it legally….

Then do not apply for a job at a MH dealer