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2021MY buying experience and first thoughts

Judging by your accounts looks like I got in at the right time, I noticed the deal was taken off dtd site not long after I ordered. I also tried carwow and told no chance. i know Tony is working from home which doesn't help. I'd see him as more admin than sales. But yes I'd be concerned about the deposit situation. I'd demand something in writing... id also point out he thought I was a cash buyer (I wish) so was a last minute panic to arrange the finance. My guess is they are waiting for build slots before they ask for your money.
 
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The fat controller said:
I did raise the issue of tax when I saw it on the order but didn't get a comprehensive response (!). My plan is to be on the front foot with a couple of months to go as I belive it's a pain to change if registered incorrectly so would much rather get it right. As has been mentioned thisnis significant for insurance especially. This is why I'm curious if anyone had recently registered.
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I believe for the last year Californias have been classed as PLG, Body Type Motor Caravan. Cheaper annual VED plus none of the Luxury Car Tax for 5 yrs. For some time they were MPV and M1, same as the MP

I would think it's nigh on impossible to change the body type, (If it looks like a duck):) so press hard to make sure MB get it right first time.

As I found out there are insurers out there who will insure properly as a motor caravan no matter what's on the V5, they just need searching out.

Good luck, hope your successful in you purchase and the tax matter, not much hope for us looking for 1-2yr old MP though:rolleyes:
 
Vandolfthegrey said:
I'm sure it'll be fine. I've bought from DoT and similar before and never had issues. I assume the issue is build slot allocation. Not helps by covid. Maybe you should ask if its been physically built in Spain yet? (Then goes to Germany for conversion)
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I've asked him last , he said no chassis number yet, so I guess they haven't start the build yet~
The fat controller said:
Well this is all interesting to hear. I guess Wolverhampton were chasing sales around that time! Tony seems a nice chap, but yes, not much to say - I guess you could argue that this is to be expected as all we're doing is waiting for the build to commence.

I did raise the issue of tax when I saw it on the order but didn't get a comprehensive response (!). My plan is to be on the front foot with a couple of months to go as I belive it's a pain to change if registered incorrectly so would much rather get it right. As has been mentioned thisnis significant for insurance especially. This is why I'm curious if anyone had recently registered.

The only reason for my nervousness at this time is the lack of deposit - I've offered twice since ordering only to be told 'no need'. Just seems like a pretty major commitment from the dealer and I'm conscious that they could sell for significantly more to another purchaser once the vehicle arrives. Yes, I am paranoid by nature!

Let's just hope we're all singing his praises come the summer - critical delivery time as a month or so slippage would mean lots of missed opportunities for trips.
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I have exact same worry as you, all we have so far is an order form, also let me know if you successfully changed the tax to 270.
 
Vandolfthegrey said:
I've just spoke to Tony regarding another issue (don't ask!) And he mentioned he's got 5 MPs to deliver july/Aug.... hopefully these are yours
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haha, I spoke to him as well today, he said he will let me know the correct rfl by this week, slightly more than 270 for this year. Also he sent me a mb schedule screenshot which make me feel more confident.
 
Thanks for that. Our comms number is one less and dates pretty much match so it all would seem to tally up. I'm almost starting to believe this might happen... Better have a rummage down the back of the sofa I guess! :Thumbs up:
 
I'm might do another thread but I called him as I told my insurance (camper specialist) that v5 was wrong and I'm in the process of changing it..... they immediately cancelled my policy! And charged me £50 for the privilege. As you can imagine I was seething... a £70k van on my drive with no insurance. Took me 4 hours to get insured with another company as camper specialist wouldn't insure as its mpv on v5 and car specialist wouldn't insure as soon as I mentioned its a camper. Mercedes "Homologation" confirmed it should be registered as "PLG/campervan" and sorting paperwork.
Tony is refunding my £166 extra insurance cost and now I don't pay the "higher rate" for the first 5 years. Homologation also said it won't be happening again so all new MP should be registered correctly.
 
Hi
We have just received our V5c back (purchased an ex-demonstrator) ours is stated as MPV. This doesn't generally bother me as I have managed to get specialist 'camper' insurance (Advanced - broker, AxA - insurer) with them in the knowledge it is stated as MPV.
But...
With your above post do you have further information if it will be possible to reclassify our body type to campervan? - reduced VED being the main benefit.

Also your above statement appears unclear to me. the MP is registered as an M1 but isn't a PLG N1? also 'campervan' isn't a recognised term at the DVLA unless they have changed their guidance?
 
BobbyMillar said:
Hi
We have just received our V5c back (purchased an ex-demonstrator) ours is stated as MPV. This doesn't generally bother me as I have managed to get specialist 'camper' insurance (Advanced - broker, AxA - insurer) with them in the knowledge it is stated as MPV.
But...
With your above post do you have further information if it will be possible to reclassify our body type to campervan? - reduced VED being the main benefit.

Also your above statement appears unclear to me. the MP is registered as an M1 but isn't a PLG N1? also 'campervan' isn't a recognised term at the DVLA unless they have changed their guidance?
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See the attached screenshot. Apparently dvla have recently changed the system. I doubt you can change as its only 2021 that Mercedes have officially classed MP as a camper. I was shocked by the attitude of the insurance company but that's how it was unfortunately
 
I'm contacting Merc to see what they say, ours was only registered 10/03/2021 so is a this year reg. If I can get out of paying the £335 per year extra (minus the slight increase in tax from PLG) i should be £210 better off a year.
 
Update: I emailed [email protected] after the comments above with our vehicle details and they are sent back a letter identical to the above for sending on to the DVLA with the V5c to correct the Logbook.

Merc stated in their email "our V 300 d AMG Line Extra Marco Polo is classed as a Camper Van and has been registered incorrectly."

Anyone done this yet? - did you also send a V70 form in to claim a VED refund in the same breath?
 
Sure, here you go

Vandolfthegrey said:
I'm might do another thread but I called him as I told my insurance (camper specialist) that v5 was wrong and I'm in the process of changing it..... they immediately cancelled my policy! And charged me £50 for the privilege. As you can imagine I was seething... a £70k van on my drive with no insurance. Took me 4 hours to get insured with another company as camper specialist wouldn't insure as its mpv on v5 and car specialist wouldn't insure as soon as I mentioned its a camper. Mercedes "Homologation" confirmed it should be registered as "PLG/campervan" and sorting paperwork.
Tony is refunding my £166 extra insurance cost and now I don't pay the "higher rate" for the first 5 years. Homologation also said it won't be happening again so all new MP should be registered correctly.
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Vandolfthegrey said:
In that case it's
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pumpsmynads said:
I’m through dtd and Wolverhampton. Have paid £1000 deposit in September. End June delivery date.
The customer ‘service’ via Tony has been, let’s just say, light touch.
My order form shows tax at £1820 I think. I haven’t had the conversation yet but I will assume I’ll pay £270 (or whatever it is) at the completion time. I’m dangerously assuming Tony will contact me a couple weeks before (give reg number, confirmed collection date, etc..) so he sets the tax correctly with DVLA and I save a further £1500.
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Hi just let you know I contacted Tony and he has correct the rfl to 280 for me order now, I would suggest you do so as well.
 
pumpsmynads said:
The new category of campervans came in from 1st September 2019.
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There is nothing new, the rules haven't changed since I had a panel van converted 10yrs ago. Apart from adopting the term 'Motor Caravan" for describing motorhomes, camper vans etc they are just being more rigid in the implementation of the rule regarding reclassification.

The crux of the matter is that MB, and VW in the past, failed to first register the cars as Motor Caravan in the body type. The penny now seems to have dropped and newly registered MPs would seem to have the correct body type. But for existing owners the following is the brick wall we encounter.

From DVLA website regarding:

DVLA is required to record vehicle details for road safety and law enforcement. The body type information held on the vehicle record must describe what a vehicle looks like in traffic. This description, as well as other distinguishing features, allows the police and other enforcement agencies to easily identify vehicles.

The body type of your vehicle will not be changed unless its exterior looks like a motor caravan in traffic.

That last line sums it up, The Marco Polo along with many many van conversions if seen in traffic are not generally recognisable to Joe public
as a Motor Caravan.

Link to the DVLA web page mentioned above
 
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