Seating Capacity Van Conversions

Having looked at a thread on the coach built section where the OP questions the number of seats fitted on their V5C. I checked the log book of my 2009 Symbol ES which has four forward facing lap/diagonal belted seats to find that the V5C lists only two including driver. What do other van conversion owners have listed?

My thought is that the seat number registered is what the van before conversion had. The extra seating is added by the converter but how this is considered by insurance companies or vehicle construction regulations I don't know.

The effect is not confined to A/S either. Our Celex (by Bilbos) shows as having only 2 seats on the V5C. The base vehicle is Kombi SE spec, which is supplied to Bilbos with no rear seats.

I had a similar issue when I bought my 1 year old Sussex in 2013. Three seats listed on all documentation but only two on the DVLA V5.
Contacted Autosleeper and they replied saying the vehicles are registered by the supplying dealer and I should contact them. I also contacted NCC and supplying dealer Marquis all saying not their problem and to contact DVLA. Insurance company said insurance would not cover third seat until V5 amended.
Luckily for me I contacted dealer I purchased from, Dolphin Dorset, and they dealt with it through DVLA.

Biker51 wrote:I had a similar issue when I bought my 1 year old Sussex in 2013. Three seats listed on all documentation but only two on the DVLA V5.
Contacted Autosleeper and they replied saying the vehicles are registered by the supplying dealer and I should contact them. I also contacted NCC and supplying dealer Marquis all saying not their problem and to contact DVLA. Insurance company said insurance would not cover third seat until V5 amended.
Luckily for me I contacted dealer I purchased from, Dolphin Dorset, and they dealt with it through DVLA.

What model Sussex had 3 seats? Was it the Sussex version of the Kemerton? I know there were 3 Sussex models, Duo , BB and ?

It’s the Sussex EB, basically a Kemerton with extras.

Paulmold wrote:My thought is that the seat number registered is what the van before conversion had. The extra seating is added by the converter but how this is considered by insurance companies or vehicle construction regulations I don't know.

My Symbol says 3, which it wouldn’t have had until after the conversion.

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v8oholic wrote:

Paulmold wrote:My thought is that the seat number registered is what the van before conversion had. The extra seating is added by the converter but how this is considered by insurance companies or vehicle construction regulations I don't know.

My Symbol says 3, which it wouldn’t have had until after the conversion.

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That's my theory out of the window.  Must be down to the dealer who first registers the van.

I thought I posted a link in my original post  You need to return your V5C to DVLA SA99 1BA Completing Section 7 and presumably signing section 8. Then contact the DVLA if you haven't received your log book and four weeks has passed. Plus the sting in the tail if you haven't received your log book after six weeks you will have to pay £25 for a replacement. I'm going to add a photo of the interior + a copy of pages from the handbook.

Paulmold wrote:That's my theory out of the window.  Must be down to the dealer who first registers the van.

A Marquis dealer got something right! They did say there is a lot of paperwork registering a new motorhome. It still can’t be done online, unlike cars and regular vans these days. That’s why it takes a lot longer to get the first V5C, because it requires manual processing. That also means someone at the DVLA could enter it wrong.

Paulmold wrote:My thought is that the seat number registered is what the van before conversion had. The extra seating is added by the converter but how this is considered by insurance companies or vehicle construction regulations I don't know.

normally vehicles are provided to the coverter un-registered, the conversion is then done and registered new as a motorhome, rather than being registered as a van first :)

Just received back after about five weeks corrected V5C now with four seats listed having sent photographs of van's interior.