Called into my local VRT office last week to see about switching my T4 panel to a camper ( to get the cheap tax and DOE exemption) as I have done this on a couple of Sprinters in the past!
Here's what I was told.....
The panelvan will never be seen as a camper in the VRT offices eyes, because they are under 3tonne and you cant stand up in them! Even a poptop doesnt count! VW Transporters will only ever be seen a a Category A vehicle!
For me to convert to category A from Commercial I need to show them the van, carry out my conversion and the they figure out a value and you pay 36% and then youve got category A status! You may then proceed to the Tax office and state you case with them as far as the tax goes so they may change your taxation class to that of a motorcaravan! - Not worth the effort in my position!!!
After quizzing the guy I eventually got the VRT guy to admit with a nudge and a wink that if you carry out the basic conversion to get category A status, e.g. fit a window or seat, then show it to the VRT office you will get it valued at the minimum price! (Do the full conversion first and they value it higer thus higher VRT) Once this is done, then you are free to do what you want, so you then go off and carry out the best camper conversion you can, and submit it to the Tax Office to so them it is a camper not a crewcab and then you'll get your cheap tax!!!
Bit of a gamble really!!!