Motorhome Road Tax Increase

[Mike B.]

Hi All

Just got the renewal notice for the tax disc and surprise surprise it's gone up again. Now £215 per annum

Mike

[Bolly1965]

They've all gone up - feel sorry for me - i have 5 vehicles to tax in the space of 2 months

 

[Guest Tracker]

It goes up every year usually in April so I try and organise my tax discs to all fall due in February or March!

 

Every little helps for us poor old pensioners!

[Guest pelmetman]

I now sorn on a regular basis, car tax runs out the end of the month, so wont bother re taxing until Feb;-)......and thinking of sorning the works van while away:D............I resent every penny I give to our politicians*-)

[vindiboy]

My Hymer PHGV just cost me £165 to renew the tax ??

[Derek Uzzell]

vindiboy - 2011-11-14 9:32 PM

 

My Hymer PHGV just cost me £165 to renew the tax ??

 

All the rates of UK vehicle tax (from 1 April 2011) can be obtained by going to the following webpage

 

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/HowToTaxYourVehicle/DG_4022118

 

then scrolling down to the paragraph beginning "The cost of vehicle tax for other types of vehicles..." and then clicking on "Download 'Rates of vehicle excise duty (V149)' (PDF, 156K)"

 

It will be seen that the annual rate for Tax Class 11 (Private or light goods vehicle - see bottom-left of V149's Page 1), which the vast majority of up-to-3500kg MAM will fall into, is now £215, whereas the annual rate for Tax Class 10 (Private HGV - see bottom-left of V149's Page 4) remains at £165. It's an anomaly, but there you go.

 

(Somewhere in the back of my mind is the idea that the historical and present arrangement, where 'Motor Caravans' fall into either Tax Class 10 or Tax Class 11 depending on their MAM, has only been agreed by the DVLA until 2012 when it will be reviewed.)

 

[chas]

pelmetman - 2011-11-14 9:11 PM

 

I now sorn on a regular basis, car tax runs out the end of the month, so wont bother re taxing until Feb;-)......and thinking of sorning the works van while away:D............I resent every penny I give to our politicians*-)

 

 

My car costs only £30 tax per year so no need to sorn (lol) but wouldnt it be great if van manufactures could come up with an engine with low enough emissions to pull a smallish motorhome. *-)

 

I suppose one could join the dark side and get a small caravan :$ perhaps one of the teardrop type that could be towed by a 1ltr engine, I think I would call it a day when that happens though. 8-)

[marcob]

Hi

It is very unfair that a motorhome wieghing less than 3,500 kg pays £215 P. A. and rises every year, but a motorhome, over 3,500 kg, or any heavy goods vehicle taxed PHG up to the maximum wieght of 44,000 kg only pays £165 P.A. and this has, I think been stattic for several years. I am fold this freeze is to help bussines, But they should not be classed as private. All motorhomes should pay the same regardless of wieght.

Regards

[Derek Uzzell]

chas - 2011-11-15 10:32 AM

 

..My car costs only £30 tax per year so no need to sorn (lol) but wouldnt it be great if van manufactures could come up with an engine with low enough emissions to pull a smallish motorhome. *-)

 

 

As things stand in the UK, there'd be no vehicle 'VED' taxation benefit.

 

"Motor Caravans" are not subject to emissions-related taxation rules so, even if the a motorcaravan's motor would qualify it for, say, £30 annual taxationif that motor were installed in a 'car', the motorcaravan's tax would still be the appropriate Private/light goods or Private HGV amount.

 

 

[big olga]

Hi.You got me thiking about the road tax rate for a Motorhome in Spain for a resident.

I Wonder it is much less that the U.K.?

At home I pay full wack for my 1993 2.0lt Audi and the same rate for the 1979 Mercedes Benz 2.4lt camper.

[i like old german things]

 

Best wishes dave.

[Guest 1footinthegrave]

Don't worry, it will all get pushed to the back of your minds when they stick the next 8p a litre on fuel duty. I said I'd pack it all in when it hit a £1 a litre, but here I am still, so a few quid on the tax is just like being punch drunk with all the other rising costs, it is all getting a bit of a joke now though, but at least we're all in it together. :-S

[RogerC]

1footinthegrave - 2011-11-15 4:53 PM

 

but at least we're all in it together. :-S

 

unfortunately some of us are more 'in it' than others...... >:-(

[DJP]

marcob - 2011-11-15 11:06 AM

 

Hi

It is very unfair that a motorhome wieghing less than 3,500 kg pays £215 P. A. and rises every year, but a motorhome, over 3,500 kg, or any heavy goods vehicle taxed PHG up to the maximum wieght of 44,000 kg only pays £165 P.A. and this has, I think been stattic for several years. I am fold this freeze is to help bussines, But they should not be classed as private. All motorhomes should pay the same regardless of wieght.

Regards

 

You may consider it to be unfair. I will swap my £165 pa for your £215 pa any day of the week. Mind you, you would have to accept my 19mpg and the level of tax I pay on that!

if you are paying £215 on a sub 3500kg then it is safe to assume that you would get at worst 50% more MPG than I do. So on 5000 miles, I would use 263 gals fuel at a cost of £1615 against your 185 gals at a cost of £1136 ALMOST £500 pa less! Who pays the most tax now?

[colin]

marcob - 2011-11-15 11:06 AM

 

Hi

It is very unfair that a motorhome wieghing less than 3,500 kg pays £215 P. A. and rises every year, but a motorhome, over 3,500 kg, or any heavy goods vehicle taxed PHG up to the maximum wieght of 44,000 kg only pays £165 P.A. and this has, I think been stattic for several years. I am fold this freeze is to help bussines, But they should not be classed as private. All motorhomes should pay the same regardless of wieght.

Regards

 

I have several vehicles that when/if I tax them cost £215, some much smaller than a motorhome, I realy don't give a damn as some of my vehicles cost nothing to tax and have much higher emmisions than a motorhome.

But if you think it's 'very unfair' compare say a new Transit PVC with a Transit people carrier, the PVC will cost £215 per annum, the people carrier £580 per annum, just be thankfull of the vagerancies of the road tax system.

[Rod_vw]

Derek Uzzell - 2011-11-15 11:20 AM

 

As things stand in the UK, there'd be no vehicle 'VED' taxation benefit.

 

"Motor Caravans" are not subject to emissions-related taxation rules so, even if the a motorcaravan's motor would qualify it for, say, £30 annual taxationif that motor were installed in a 'car', the motorcaravan's tax would still be the appropriate Private/light goods or Private HGV amount.

 

 

Ah but if only that were true in all cases...

 

My vehicle is a selfbuild, built on a new base vehicle which had to be registered due to logistical needs whilst converting. In this case it MUST be registered as a diesel car (not yet a Motor Caravan) thus attracting a VED of £245 at next renewal.

The DVLA were quite happy to change the 'Body Type' to Motor Caravan but will not change the taxation class to Motor Caravan!

Had I been able to purchase the vehicle and convert it without it being registered then it could have been registered from new as a Motor Caravan and only attracted a VED rate of £215.

So I pay £30 more VED for my camper this coming year than those of you with an identical base vehicle that was converted from new!

 

[colin]

Rod_vw - 2011-11-15 8:47 PM

 

Derek Uzzell - 2011-11-15 11:20 AM

 

As things stand in the UK, there'd be no vehicle 'VED' taxation benefit.

 

"Motor Caravans" are not subject to emissions-related taxation rules so, even if the a motorcaravan's motor would qualify it for, say, £30 annual taxationif that motor were installed in a 'car', the motorcaravan's tax would still be the appropriate Private/light goods or Private HGV amount.

 

 

Ah but if only that were true in all cases...

 

My vehicle is a selfbuild, built on a new base vehicle which had to be registered due to logistical needs whilst converting. In this case it MUST be registered as a diesel car (not yet a Motor Caravan) thus attracting a VED of £245 at next renewal.

The DVLA were quite happy to change the 'Body Type' to Motor Caravan but will not change the taxation class to Motor Caravan!

Had I been able to purchase the vehicle and convert it without it being registered then it could have been registered from new as a Motor Caravan and only attracted a VED rate of £215.

So I pay £30 more VED for my camper this coming year than those of you with an identical base vehicle that was converted from new!

 

I vaugely remember some earlier thread on this, why wasn't it registered as light goods vehicle?

[Rod_vw]

My base vehicle was not registered as a 'light goods' because it was purchased with almost identical specification as that used by the Volkswagen conversion specialists. i.e. with windows, and all the cab extras but only the two front swivel seats.

 

In the eyes of the DVLA this is a van with windows but they still classify it as a 'Car'!

 

If you order a van (no rear windows) I assume it will be classified as 'Light Goods' but there is the expense of adding windows which are similar but not quite as nice as original. Also a van does not have the rear seat belt mountings installed and we all know of pending changes relating to the MOT and how rear belts are fitted.

 

Caught between a rock and a hard place yet again.

[Mike B.]

1footinthegrave - 2011-11-15 4:53 PM

 

Don't worry, it will all get pushed to the back of your minds when they stick the next 8p a litre on fuel duty. I said I'd pack it all in when it hit a £1 a litre, but here I am still, so a few quid on the tax is just like being punch drunk with all the other rising costs, it is all getting a bit of a joke now though, but at least we're all in it together. :-S

 

 

I remember saying I would pack it in when it reached £1 a GALLON! How sad am I-still here with 3 vehicles paying through the nose for potholes!!

Still at least it's cheaper than beer!

[Derek Uzzell]

Rod_vw - 2011-11-15 8:47 PM

 

Derek Uzzell - 2011-11-15 11:20 AM

 

As things stand in the UK, there'd be no vehicle 'VED' taxation benefit.

 

"Motor Caravans" are not subject to emissions-related taxation rules so, even if the a motorcaravan's motor would qualify it for, say, £30 annual taxationif that motor were installed in a 'car', the motorcaravan's tax would still be the appropriate Private/light goods or Private HGV amount.

 

 

Ah but if only that were true in all cases...

 

My vehicle is a selfbuild, built on a new base vehicle which had to be registered due to logistical needs whilst converting. In this case it MUST be registered as a diesel car (not yet a Motor Caravan) thus attracting a VED of £245 at next renewal.

The DVLA were quite happy to change the 'Body Type' to Motor Caravan but will not change the taxation class to Motor Caravan!

Had I been able to purchase the vehicle and convert it without it being registered then it could have been registered from new as a Motor Caravan and only attracted a VED rate of £215.

So I pay £30 more VED for my camper this coming year than those of you with an identical base vehicle that was converted from new!

 

There's a piece about motorhome-related VED on

 

http://www.ukmotorhomes.net/motorhome-road-tax.shtml#california

 

This mentions the sort of situation you were in - where a vehicle is registered prior to conversion to a motor caravan - and states that the VED class cannot later be changed.

 

However, there are clearly instances where the VED class of a vehicle (Type Approved or otherwise) will need to be changed post-rergistration and (as far as I'm aware) the DVLA will normally be prepared to make that alteration. The obvious examples are when a motorhome's MAM is uprated to over 3500kg (a move from PLG to PHGV) or downrated to 3500kg from over-3500kg (a move from PHGV to PLG).

 

While it won't be applicable in your case, it's easy enough to imagine someone purchasing and registering a 'light goodsl' vehicle with a 3500kg MAM and subsequently having it converted to a motor caravan and simultaneously having its MAM uprated. Even if the vehicle gets placed in the TC39 class (Light Goods Vehicles) initially, that VED class won't be appropriate after the vehicle's MAM has been uprated as TC39 is restricted to a weight not exceeding 3500kg, No idea where the DVLA would put the uprated vehicle but, as it will be a "Motor Caravan" and over 3500kg MAM, the PHGV VED class would seem to be its logical home.

[josie gibblebucket]

How much would this cost to run then............................. :D

[tugga]

Our motorhome does approx 22 to 25 miles per gallon which is the same as our large car when we towed a caravan but if the cost of tax does increase by £10 per year then it is cheaper than the car was and doubtless that will also go up by £10 too.

 

We are pleased we have a motorhome and the costs still work out cheaper for us.

[tazdog6007]

I dont no why you are all going on about the tax thing when you all are quite happy to pay silly money to drive to spain etc,I got two flights to alicanti 68 quid,taxi to hotel 18 quid,seven nights sun and meals,out mostly,for two,about 500.spent twenty years doing the driving thing,no more,dont need the stress!

[Bulletguy]

marcob - 2011-11-15 11:06 AM

 

Hi

It is very unfair that a motorhome weighing less than 3,500 kg pays £215 P. A. and rises every year, but a motorhome over 3,500 kg or any heavy goods vehicle taxed PHG up to the maximum wieght of 44,000 kg, only pays £165 P.A. and this has, I think been static for several years. I am told this freeze is to help business, but they should not be classed as private.

 

All motorhomes should pay the same regardless of weight.

 

So you think an 8 ton RV owner should pay exactly the same as small Campervan one quarter the weight?

 

By far the fairest way is by gross weight and engine size. Bigger and heavier the vehicle......the more you pay. Jersey is one of the few countries that applies this to ALL vehicles. The Rolls Royce owner quite rightly gets clobbered on road tax whilst the little 1 litre Nissan Micra owner pays next to nothing.

[Keith T]

Bulletguy - 2011-11-17 6:40 PM

 

marcob - 2011-11-15 11:06 AM

 

Hi

It is very unfair that a motorhome weighing less than 3,500 kg pays £215 P. A. and rises every year, but a motorhome over 3,500 kg or any heavy goods vehicle taxed PHG up to the maximum wieght of 44,000 kg, only pays £165 P.A. and this has, I think been static for several years. I am told this freeze is to help business, but they should not be classed as private.

 

All motorhomes should pay the same regardless of weight.

 

So you think an 8 ton RV owner should pay exactly the same as small Campervan one quarter the weight?

 

By far the fairest way is by gross weight and engine size. Bigger and heavier the vehicle......the more you pay. Jersey is one of the few countries that applies this to ALL vehicles. The Rolls Royce owner quite rightly gets clobbered on road tax whilst the little 1 litre Nissan Micra owner pays next to nothing.

 

But if I am not mistaken, unless it has changed very recently, the only 'tax' on a vehicle in Jersey is when first registered, as they' added' an extra tax to the fuel some years ago and abolished the annual road fund licenece fee( I think this is simlar to the French system). You now have no Tax disc displyed,but instead an Insurance disc,which is also a far better way of checking that a vehicel is correctly insured. So in some ways it is fairer, as you effectively pay more tax according to how many miles you do,and also how efficient the engine is.

[marcob]

Bulletguy - 2011-11-17 6:40 PM

 

marcob - 2011-11-15 11:06 AM

 

Hi

It is very unfair that a motorhome weighing less than 3,500 kg pays £215 P. A. and rises every year, but a motorhome over 3,500 kg or any heavy goods vehicle taxed PHG up to the maximum wieght of 44,000 kg, only pays £165 P.A. and this has, I think been static for several years. I am told this freeze is to help business, but they should not be classed as private.

 

All motorhomes should pay the same regardless of weight.

 

So you think an 8 ton RV owner should pay exactly the same as small Campervan one quarter the weight?

 

By far the fairest way is by gross weight and engine size. Bigger and heavier the vehicle......the more you pay. Jersey is one of the few countries that applies this to ALL vehicles. The Rolls Royce owner quite rightly gets clobbered on road tax whilst the little 1 litre Nissan Micra owner pays next to nothing.

 

 

The problem is motorhomes are not private light goods vehicles, or private heavy goods vehicles. They are recreational vehicles, and should be in a class of their own, but the powers that be don't seem to be able to except this. In the old days vehicles of all classes were taxed on their HP or unladen wieght, and it was the fairest way, but now there are so many classes based on emisions. But motorhomes are not taxed on emision, so under 3.500kg PLG the tax goes up every year, over 3.500kg the tax has stayed static, and this is my complaint. Having seen Keith T's reply the French sytem would be the fairest.