Using a minibus as a van (not camper)

[scfcstoke1]

Hi, i just purchased a swb minibus on Saturday, when i got it , it had the seats removed as the previous owner used it as a van.

i went to insure it today as a van , but they told me that as it is a minibus it needs to be insured as such or i need to change the reg docs.

My questions are:
How do i change the docs to say that it is now a van with windows, is it easy to do?,how long will it take?,do i have to do anything with the van, bearing in mind i won't get the log book etc back from the DVLA for a week or two. & this will mean i am uninsured for a few weeks & not able to use it.

Or can/shall i just insure it as a van & be done with as it has no seats anyway, someone suggested this route to me yesterday, but not too sure.

Thanks in advance

C

[Retrohowla]

Im no expert so dont take this as gospel but.

Ive changed many vehicle docs in the past with no extra cost, all i have ever done is put the new information along side the current info on the reg doc, sign it and send it off.

Ive done this to go from van to camper and vice versa.
Petrol to diesel, engine swaps from direct replacement to bigger capacity and fuel types, motorcycle docs changed for bigger and smaller engines, even when it affected the taxation class (to lower class) ive never been asked for proof, they just ammended them and sent them back.

In the mean time i would insure it as a van personally but i guess if you had an accident before the docs were changed you could find yourself with an insurance company unwilling to pay up so its a grey area and down to you to decided if you should chance it.

Hope this helps

[MinorMatt]

its still a minibus body style unless you fill the windows in with "blanks"

Insure it as a minibus with all but the front row of seats removed

[Peloquin]

Right, I MAY be able to help a bit here.
12 months back I had a MK3 160 given to me. It's a minibus but I wanted a van. Was given so I couldn't moan.
I tried for 6 weeks to get insurance and got the same answer from everywhere. "We wont touch it as a van because of windows and seats"
I told them I'd taken the seats out so they wouldn't touch it because I'd "modified" it.
"Nope- removable seats so removed them- not modified, just used them as intended"
"Oh, removable so could be put back and used as a minibus again- wont touch it"

This sort of crap went on for weeks then as I was flling in ANOTHER online form I get a fone call from Autonet.
I went through every detail with them and got them to go through every detail themselves.
"No problem- coming up as £205 Fully Comp".
Now, I have a few limitations on my insurance, I cant use it for work or drive other vehicles on my insurance but it might be worth checking with them as they seemed very helpful on the fone.