Number of seats on V5 - minibus

[Matt_T]

I'm looking at minibuses for family duties, possibly one of the Stellantis offerings - Toyota Proace Verso, Vauxhall Vivaro Life, Citroen Spacetourer.

Looking at adverts, they are listed as either 7-seater, 8-seater or 9-seater. Some have 3 front seats whilst some have 2 front seats, also various rear bench confugurations (3+3, 3+2)

Am I correct that the number of seats it came out of the factory with will be on the V5 and that I can't configure the van to have more than the number of seats on the V5? However, I presume I can run it with fewer seats - such as remove a bench and run it as a crew-van?

Is there anything to be aware of here - such as checking the V5 seating conforms with what is in the vehicle?

[KTMsm]

If you go over 9 seats it's a minibus and no longer a car

I added 6 seats to my T4 - a simple letter to the DVLA and a photo was all it took to change the V5 (10 years ago)

Obviously it's not an issue to remove seats - my Traveliner rarely has more than 4 of the 9 seats in it

Many convert to either 2 or 3 in the front - again it's not an issue as long as you don't go over the maximum registered

[Davie]

I found out that it's all a bit vague!

I have a Transporter with 9 seats (3 + 3 + 3) and it only dawned on me that this could have implications after I'd left a deposit. Yes... I know. However, whilst the V5C says "Number of seats including driver: 9" it's also down as being "Body type: MPV" and "Vehicle category: M1"

My existing insurers refused to cover it saying it's a mini bus as did a couple of others, however others and ultimately Adrian Flux who got my money said no, it's an MPV and that M1 is "A category of vehicles that have four or more wheels and are used for the carriage of passengers. M1 vehicles can have not more than 8 seats in addition to the driver's seat. M1 vehicles are classed as cars for tax purposes"

So my insurers were happy to insure it as "a car" assuming j wasn't going sneaky golf tours or airport transfers on the sly and it's also subject to a normal car MOT and speed limits... which is handy as 50mph on A roads is grim!

Part of me still isn't convinced but it's taxed, insured and MOT'd all legally and above board so I'll go with it. As an aside I removed the third row of seats immediately and they've never gone back in since, however I'm not looking to have it reregistered as a 5/6 seater as there's no advantage. Plus, might be handy come wedding / golf season...

[Auto810graphy]

The V5 will normally say 9 seats as the seating options are considered factory options and most higher spec models have less seats. It’s rare that people change the seats after production and you can always check with the manufacturer how it was apexed from new.

[Matt_T]

Thanks for the answers above.
Seems what I need to check is if the V5 says 9 seats on all of them irrespective of how they are configured, or wtheer the V5 says what was in when it was spec'd out of the factory gates.