TVR taxation class

[lockhart flawse]

There have been discussions on here previously about the correct tax rating/class for TVRs. I am in an ongoing discussion with the DVLA about my car which is registered as a "Petrol Car" with an emissions figure and so liable for £400 pa duty from next year rather than a PLG (Private Light Goods) vehicle which, according to various people on here, all TVRs should be registered as because TVRs were produced by a Low Volume Manufacturer. Under the PLG rules tax next year will be £185.

I have searched the DVLA website but am unable to find any information about the Low Volume regs.

Can anyone explain to me:

1)How do we know that all TVRs qualify under Low Volume Regs? Or alternatively what are the relevant production limits for a Low Volume manufacturer?

2)Where does it state that Low Volume Manufacturer's products are registered as PLG and should not be registered as a Petrol Car?

My latest letter from the DVLA policy dept states that "wherever possible...Low Volume Single Vehicle Approval (is this the same as as Low Volume Manufacturer??) ....including these vehicles in the Grad Veh scheme.... when emission figures are available."

Anyone throw any light on this?

L.F.

[unrepentant]

I recall that Keith (Glow Worm) is well genned up on this. I'm sure he'll give you the info if you drop him an email.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?mem...

[5.0ltr]

Howard, you could ask them why SE no 42,amongst others, first registered 15 days before yours is at the lower rate (£185pa) for the 'same'car? Good luck btw.

[S6 ROR]

I am also in correspondence with the dvla about my Griff. Reg as petrol with CO2 figure quoted. They have kicked my request out once and after a couple more emails and a conversation with them on the telephone, have written into them again requesting that they re-consider.
They said that although they have changed a few cars in the past, a policy decision has recently been made that no more will be allowed to be re-classified. I am sure that they would soon be wanting to change it if it was the other way around and they were due to loose out
This has been dragging on since last september now.

[lockhart flawse]

Yes that's pretty much what they have said to me. That's why I wanted to find
the regulations concerned as it seems to me that if we can properly prove that the car was mis-registered in the first place the DVLA will find it harder to argue against re-classifying our cars. At the moment I am only arguing with them on the basis of heresay and second-hand info. gleaned from this site and I would like to get to the bottom of it.

L.F.

[Hexhamhc]

I have had a few recent battles with our local licencing office over some TVRs that were wrongly classified when new as Petrol Car. Basically my understanding is that if there is no 'variant' or 'version' information on the V5 registration document then the vehicle cannot be classified as anything other than a 'PLG' (Private/Light Goods). Check on your V5 to see if this information is recorded, it shouldn't be (And I've never yet seen one that was!). If it is not recorded then the car has been wrongly classified from new and should be returned to the PLG classification. TVR never had to submit their cars to formal emissions testing because they were mainly registered via low-volume or SVA. I have registered some new cars fairly recently and there has been no problem with these being PLG from new.
I hope that this helps and good luck!
Best regards, Tony Abrams

[red griff roger]

5.0ltr said:

Howard, you could ask them why SE no 42,amongst others, first registered 15 days before yours is at the lower rate (£185pa) for the 'same'car? Good luck btw.

Err .. dangerous point to put forward. I see a £215 bill dropping through your letter box?

[red griff roger]

5.0ltr said:

Howard, you could ask them why SE no 42,amongst others, first registered 15 days before yours is at the lower rate (£185pa) for the 'same'car? Good luck btw.

Err .. dangerous point to put forward. I see a £215 bill dropping through your letter box?

[lockhart flawse]

Dear Tony,

Thanks for your input. My V5 says Variant GRIFFITH500 and Version 1. Are you saying there should be nothing entered there or were you referring to other info? I assume there was only ever one version of the Griffith so far as the DVLA are concerned.

Red Griff Roger - I think the info about the other SE was gleaned from the SE website which records all registration dates.

L.F.

[glow worm]

My advice is to send your V5C form back to the DVLA Registered Post (so they can't say they've lost it) just stating a mistake has been made and it should be registered as a PLG and not a PC... I quoted a number of car registrations of the same vehicles 1st registered at the same time as mine... and I got a refund and taxed now as PLG. Just play dumb don't enter into a discussion on low volume ministers approval certificates etc. ... 'cos the dummies there don't understand.

I must add, the mistake you have made is not to have done it two years ago, when the writing was on the wall. When the car tax difference started... the difference between £180 and £205 wasn't much... but it was always stated it would become £300 followed by £400... you all should have acted earlier.

All these problems originate from when the cars were first registered. There was a debate as to whether this was a local tax office problem or a DVLA problem, so a trip to the local tax office (face to face) might work. Not sure about the variant issue though... mine was as straight forward as it just stated PC (Petrol Car) therefore included the 302 (?) mg/km CO2 emmision figure. No variant change on re-issued V5C.

Edited by glow worm on Friday 30th January 20:22

Edited by glow worm on Friday 30th January 20:38

[spartridge]

Some good news - this can still be achieved. 2005 Tuscan was successfully changed from PC to PLG this week, including a rebate, on the basis that TVR have "Low Volume Type Approval". Big thanks to Glow Worm and also Sharon from the TVRCC for advice and info here.

I did also ask guidance for fellow owners in the same situation and was told that any cases shoud be referred to DVLA asap as Casework and Policy decision makers are now more familiar with the issue so cases should be dealt with more quickly from now on....(allegedly)

[S6 ROR]

Have been in correspondence with DVLA since last September re my Griff, which is currently classed as Petrol Car, even quoted Glow Worms case. Have had letter back this week, stating that policy committee have chucked it out. Have just sent letter to my MP, and have ask him to take the matter up, and try to apply some influence.
Any info on who`s car has been reclassified this week? Would certainly give some amo to go back to them with.

[timmybob]

Even if not registered as a PLG, why is it charged at 400 (which is a band G and should only apply to cars registered after March 06). Even based on CO2 output, because of its age, it should be band F which is 210 a year...or have I missed something?

Edited by timmybob on Saturday 7th March 07:49

[GJL]

I'm having similar problems. Had a 2001 Tuscan S classed as PLG, now have a 53 plate Tuscan S but on the V5 it is a Petrol Car with emissions listed. I took it to my local office, who told me to write to Swansea. I wrote to Swansea with a request to re-classify, but it appears they didn't read my letter and just replied telling me if I want to tax my car I should visit my local office! I think this could be the DVLAs way to force me into submission. I will keep pursuing it, but can anyone who has been successful please advise if it is Swansea or the local VRO I need? (If anyone has recently lost their job, it might be worth having a labotomy and then go for an interview with the DVLA!)
Also, if anyone is willing, could you email me with the reg number of any similar car classed as PLG to help my case:- [e-mail]

Thanks in anticipation

[glow worm]

They changed K14UME from PC to PLG....2 years ago...just got my renewal £185

[p4pedro]

Just got my reminder for a MAY 2001 4.5 chim classed as PLG £185



peter

[spartridge]

S6 ROR said:

Any info on who`s car has been reclassified this week?

Yep - Mine. I'm going back to the individual at the DVLA who sorted this to get some more concrete guidance or solutions for fellow owners on this issue. Bear with me - will keep you posted.

[S6 ROR]

OK, seems strange that the very week that i get a letter from them stating that my case has been thrown out, that yours gets accepted.
Yes,I would be very grateful for any additional info that you can obtain, or a name at dvla that i can speak to.
Have also sent a letter of to my MP, to see if he can apply any infulence.

[glow worm]

spartridge said:

Some good news - this can still be achieved. 2005 Tuscan was successfully changed from PC to PLG this week, including a rebate, on the basis that TVR have "Low Volume Type Approval". Big thanks to Glow Worm and also Sharon from the TVRCC for advice and info here.

I did also ask guidance for fellow owners in the same situation and was told that any cases shoud be referred to DVLA asap as Casework and Policy decision makers are now more familiar with the issue so cases should be dealt with more quickly from now on....(allegedly)

Only just noticed your post on Friday....Great news Simon, glad if I was any help. Since mine appeared to be the only one that had been changed, I thought one day they might revoke it..so at least there are two of us now. The fact its a 2005 Tuscan 2 is good news too, I've noticed whilst doing the Tuscan 2 Convertible Register ( http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0... there are 3 cars paying either £400 or £210 tax as PCs. If you can obtain a appeal procedure with the DVLA , it would be worthwhile the mods making it a STICKIE so the message gets out to as many owners as possible....Well Done...

[fatjon]

If TVR cars did not have to be submitted for emissions testing under low volume type approval why are they now required to meet emissions standards. It was my understanding that a car which could not meet these standards when it was new cannot be required to meeth them now when it goes for MOT. I've seen this in a few posts on PH but never been able to find any legal basis on which to argue the point. Ideas anyone, or is just an urban myth?

Jon