Is a VW Shuttle classed as a 'car' or van?

Been considering a late VW T5.1 or maybe T6 to replace existing Kombi, probably another Kombi but possibly Shuttle small minibus 8/9 seater version but can’t seem to find a definitive answer – is the Shuttle not classed as a commercial vehicle and therefore has different VED and (normal car) speed limit levels? Or are they seen the same as Kombis and viewed the same by HMRC/DVLA? Anyone got one and know for sure? I understand VED is all about to change again soon too. Cheers

it depends what it says on the logbook. M1, or N1

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vca/vehicletype/definition-of-vehicle-categories.asp

everything else is just an opinion!

Can you change it?

As per jamie it depends on the log book for definitive answer. My T5 kombi is M1, some are N1. Though I expect the shuttles would be M1. I don’t believe it can be changed.

Ours states “Car” I had a right pita trying to convince the insurance it wasn’t a van.

Depends for what purpose – I used to have a Kombi as a company van, under the flat rated BiK for company vans thingy (100% personal use, £5000 BiK flat rate), but the rules have changed now and only panel vans can use that deal, so I have bought out the van personally now.

It doesn’t help that HMRC are internally inconsistent. If you buy a Kombi as a company asset, you can claim the VAT back, because it is classed as commercial, but if it is used for anything other than 100% business usage (no commuting or anything), it is counted under the company car rules.

For some reason, you can still get away with a double-cab pickup, but they have clamped down on crew cab vans. A shuttle was always a car in the eyes of the BiK man as far as I know, and would definitely count as a car nowadays.

Dave

My shuttle is a M1 class diesel car 8)

Thanks, if yours is M1 class motorman or godzilla, what’s the annual VED on it?

I *think* mine is around £295

I have a 9 seater shuttle. In London I didn’t have to pay congestion charge as it was classed as a bus, but crossing the Severn bridge it was classed as a car. For insurance purposes it’s classed as a car. On the ferry its classed as a car. So….I would say it’s almost always classed as a car until you have a letter from the council who saw you in the bus lane when you can argue that it should be classed as a bus!

The Shuttle is sounding more tempting if it is M1 car class, also they seem to be (relatively in VW terms) more affordable nearly new compared to kombis as less desireable looking I guess. Trouble is I carry around loads of bikes & crap and will probably ruin the rear carpet and plastics once the back row of seats are out and more open for dodgy mushes looking in. Some limo black on rear windows and vinyl off-cut on the floor might help for this.

i had this dilemma when i was hunting for a viano or a vito. vito is a van which means lower speed limits, lower VED, higher insurance and more on the tolls, potential issues on ferrys. viano, which i got in the end, main bummer is the 500 quid VED 🙁