Expert answer

Hi Mathew,

I'd highly recommend you employ a professional conversion company to do all the work and certification documentation for you, as it can be quite an involved process. Certain standards in terms of safety and structure will be necessary and the vehicle is most likely subject to inspection after conversion. The registration details will then have to be altered and of course there will be tax and insurance implications. 

In short, we're not experts in carrying out such a conversion, and we'd advocate for using one to save yourself hassle in the long run.

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Hi Derek,

On registration, the imported four-seat Jimny/Sierra would presumably be defined as a passenger car, in which case it would have to undergo an NCT. 

So long as the car is "Euro 6" compliant then it will pass the emissions tests. Make sure you check that with the seller and ask for proof or that in writing before you commit to the sale. 

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Hi Jake,

You can easily notify your local motor tax office that you will be using a pickup like the Amarok for private use, and then pay the required motor tax. Unfortunately, that may not satisfy the insurers. Best to ask them before you buy the vehicle if this will be sufficient, and also make sure you get a quote. 

If you have no joy, consider employing the services of an independent insurance broker to do the legwork for you.

Best of luck

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Hi Ed,

The only diesel engine offered in the 2009 XC70 was the old five-cylinder 2.4-litre unit. It was available in many states of tune though, so that will affect the CO₂ rating, which is how the tax is determined. 

It would appear that most will fall into Band F, with emissions of 191-225g/km. That currently means annual motor tax of €1,200.

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Hi Denis,

It goes by the engine size in that case, which would mean €1,080 per year - based on engine size of 2,402cc.

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Hi Owen,

There are strict rules forbidding the use of vehicles registered as commercials (as the Discovery described above is) for anything other than purely business/company use. The rule says you cannot use it for private use as you've described. Many do, I might add, and just hope not to get caught...

Insurance might be trickier, however. The insurers don't seem to like insuring private individuals on commercial vehicles. Only way to know if that will affect you is to ring around and see what they say. Or employ a broker to do the same. 

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Hi Kirsty,

You're not the first to run up against this issue. Getting insurance to use a van as a private vehicle is bizarrely difficult: it seems the insurers don't want to get involved. 

We don't have an easy fix for you, but would suggest looking into employing an independent insurance broker to do the legwork for you rather than trying to deal direct with the big insurance companies.

If you find a good solution, please do let us know. 

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Hi Patrick,

If the vehicle already has rear seats then all you need to do is inform your motor tax office of the change of use and pay the relevant motor tax increase. Check your insurance policy as well to ensure this is covered.

If the Land Cruiser has no rear seats then it's a much bigger job to convert it, and I'd suggest you enlist the services of one of the many companies specialising in this process. Do a search online and then try to find reviews of ones in your locale. In many cases, however, it may be more cost effective to just change your vehicle.

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Hi Cait,

VRT is 13.3 per cent of the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP), but unfortunately there's no way to accurately predict that ahead of time, especially for campers as there is such variation in the market. You can appeal a valuation after the VRT has been paid, which isn't very helpful.

Campers are not subject to the NOx levy, you'll be glad to know.

However, if the camper is coming from outside the EU (including England, Scotland and Wales), you will also be liable for 23 per cent VAT and 10 per cent import duty. In most cases, campers imported from Northern Ireland do not attract these taxes, but only if they've been registered and used by private owners in the North before you buy it.

Expert answer

Hi there,

Private taxation on a commercial vehicle reverts to engine size, so that Amarok would be €710 per year and the Navara would be €994.