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Quote: Originally posted by brianconwy on 28/2/2010

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"The same rules apply as with the twin-cab pick-ups, are only VAT free if you declare them as 100% business use. If any part of their use is private you have to pay the appropriate proportion in VAT."

Where have you seen this link?  According to the cc magazine review the van will be marketted as zero VAT.  In the link above there is no mention of business use.  Is there a link to a site explaining business use only?

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Brian - I stand corrected, I thought that "conditions of use" applied but I have now found that all caravans over 7m long or 2.3m wide are currently treated the same as houses for VAT purposes. The zero rate only applies to the "main structure" and not to "removable items" such as fridges etc.

If they change the 2.3 to 2.55 it would not effect the main area of exception which is for static caravans and twin untis. The following link gives full details.

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageLibrary_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000101&propertyType=document#P47_3077

Quote: Originally posted by brianconwy on 26/2/2010

"But then they become too wide to be towed on UK roads unless you have a vehicle weighing in excess of 3500 kgs so it wouldn't be in their interest to do that surely?"

The new legislation being brought in would bring us into line with other EU countries and would allow the wider vans to be towed by vehicles under 3500kg.  This is upsetting the UK van manufacturers - see here.

Brian

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I am sure the government will catch on, but in the meantime there will be savings to be made.  Vans are on sale now with zero VAT, so if you purchase one now you will get in before the chancellor reacts.

Brian

Hello, I bought a new Hobby van at the show last week.  It was subject to this VAT rule as it is 8ft wide.  However Hobby showed me documentation from the department of transprt to say this rule/law is being fast tracked for change to bring us in line with the rest ofeurope meaning 8ft vans will no longer be ileagle to tow on British roads.  Of course I was sceptical as of course they would say this to sell a van, but I went and spoke to a technical expert on the caravan club stand and someone on the NCC stand aswell as a few others and this is infact the case.  The law should have been in place by beginning of the year and as it is overdue the government are facing a huge fine from Brussels, hence the fast track.

So when the law changes, should be by April, the VAT will alter to follow suit.  Then my van will be £3k more expensive.  And any car weighing more than the van will be ok to tow it.  My pick up can tow 3500kg so will be more than able.

Hope that helps a bit.

:)

  Why does everyone keep refering to 8ft wide vans. 2.55m is actually a tad over 8ft 4in the same as most HGVs.     

           Pete.

Quote: Originally posted by Burrellboy on 01/3/2010

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  Why does everyone keep refering to 8ft wide vans. 2.55m is actually a tad over 8ft 4in the same as most HGVs.     

           Pete.

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So in other words if anyone got in quick, they will have saved a couple of grand.

Brian