Probably asked a 1000 times.

[Unclebob1971]

I bought a box body renalt master ambulance, on the v5 it says 3.5t and thought great I can drive it.
After spending money on mot and repairs I was told the plate states 3.9t.

Obviously it started out as 3.5t, my car licence was passed after 1997 so I guess I'm in the sh1t!

What are my options as I was just about to start the interior.

 

[Odd-no-more]

Hi I'm not an expert, but is it possible that the 3.9t was when fully loaded with the ambulance equipment? Can you get it to a weighbridge?

 

[suavecarve]

Downplating is relatively simple and inexpensive to comply with your license but you will pay more in tax each year.

Weight of your interior upgrade is unknown so knowing that would be advantageous and chaser may be able to give some indicator.

The other option is a grand or so to get the C1 which you would make back in 10 years in reduced vehicle tax

 

[PP Bear]

Get your C1 license, look at it as extra training to handle heavier vehicles and I bet you’d learn loads from doing the course.

Or, flog it, get something lighter and no ulcers worrying about it

 

[Lenny HB]

You are OK if the V5 says 3.5t that what it's registered at. In theory they should be another plate to match the V5 it could be anywhere on or in the vehicle.
The axle weights will still be the same as the original plate.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[chaser]

Downplating is relatively simple and inexpensive to comply with your license but you will pay more in tax each year.

Weight of your interior upgrade is unknown so knowing that would be advantageous and chaser may be able to give some indicator.

The other option is a grand or so to get the C1 which you would make back in 10 years in reduced vehicle tax

I can't help a lot as mine was an ambulance on a standard van and it's 3.5 but I do know the box ones are 3.9 or even 4.5 as I looked at them when I was looking for mine.
But as I said that's no good to the op.

 

[rb62]

If the V5 says 3.5t then according to the DVLA that's what it is,maybe it has been downplated already ? I'd get it to a weighbridge so you know where you stand.

 

[suavecarve]

Lenny HB makes a reasonable point.

It may be that the van has been downplated already if the V5 states 3.5 and if so was done probably done in order to sell it.

If that's the case (probably likely) then the issue for you is how much weight is going to be added to whatever the weight of your van is now and then adding your water cutlery food etc and will that be under 3.5 ton.

 

[Barclaybasher]

The weight on the V% means you can drive it.

If you can keep it below 3.5t there are many other advantages

 

[chaser]

Another problem with down plateing it would be keeping below it with the conversion.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

For approx £10 for an individual axle weighing process you'll get the answers you need,plus some very useful information as to the base weights before you start the conversion, and how extravagant the build can be weight wise.
Mike.

 

[chaser]

Right I have been back and looked at the op and apparently it says 3.5 on the v5, so go by that. If it's got a plate that says different can't it be lost. Plates are very cheap on ebay

 

[jezport]

You are OK if the V5 says 3.5t that what it's registered at. In theory they should be another plate to match the V5 it could be anywhere on or in the vehicle.
The axle weights will still be the same as the original plate.

This is correct. take it to a weighbridge to make sure you havent over loaded it with the build. If you havent you can print your own label on a waterproof printable laser vinyl with the axle weights, gross, train weights and the vin number and stick it next to the manufacturers label.

 

[suavecarve]

I would leave the 3.9 plate in place and if stopped for weight issues over 3.5 ton point at the plate. I would also point out the V5 if it assisted in the opposite if necessary and hope it wasn't a traffic officer who knew what they were talking about.

 

[Unclebob1971]

Right I have been back and looked at the op and apparently it says 3.5 on the v5, so go by that. If it's got a plate that says different can't it be lost. Plates are very cheap on ebay

Interesting