(G) converting car to van

no on a serious note. is it legal to alter any car into a van. ive got a mk1 uno i wana alter it into a van i know how to do it but is it legal I.E will it pass a mot

if no back seats are fitted then you need no rear belts,
you can have rear windows as dark as you like even blank them off.
so i see no problem

cool thanks. sorry about the title just been waching ali G got caried. i was considering traking out the back side windows and welding steel in place then the rear window screen i was planning mirroring

i can change title if you like?

are the rear windows the opening type? if not you can just cut steel the same size as glass then fit it in the rubbers

I'm pretty sure that's how Fiat made the official Uno van in the first place! Steel instead of glass, and remove the back seat. Hey presto, one van. Only worked with the non opening rear windows, but all you need is the window rubbers from a non opening rear window model and it will fit any Uno regardless of whether the rears open or not.

One thing though about converting a car into a van. Doesn't it then have to be re-classified by DVLA as a van rather than a car? And doesn't the taxation system work slighty differently for vans? Worth looking into as it could affect the legalities of the conversion...

yeah i will have to look into that that is sort of what i wanted to know about things like logbook etc etc. yes it probably would be best to change the title dont wish to cause offence to anyone

Why not just get a fiorino van, as you can pick good ones up for around £500, and turbo diesels for £800.

Like Chris says buying a car derived van would be a whole lot easier and cheaper.

If you modify the car to such extent it will have to be examied by VOSA examiners from certain Construction & Use Regulations which entails a charge.

Your insurance company will deem it as a modified vehicle and class it as a commercial light goods vehicle so will hammer you with a premium.

If you have the urge to carry a few mates around in the back traffic police would have a field day with your license and could take your vehicle away and crush it as your insurance would not be vaild to carry passengers (the law came out to stop illegal mini cabs).

Sorry for being so negative I just see a black hole in this venture.
Pete

yes thanks. no i wanted to convert it myself because im trying to get my business up and running i dont have £5 to buy a van let alone £500 but i alredy have the plating i need to convert. what sort of money is it for this test thing is it like £26 like it is when you repaire a write off. wher do i go on the net for advice and stuff

If you do a search for VOSA or check the DVLA website they have plenty of information.
What kind of business are u setting up?
I am a self employed plumber and use my uno for work as it is so cheap to run and like a tardis inside, just taken a 1.7m steel bath basin and toilet to the local council tip for free where as they charge u in a van.
Do not have to pay commercial insurance too and most tealeaves do not know what is in the boot so tend to leave it alone unlike my other trades person mates who are regularly getting broken into.
Pete

mobile valeting so need to get a prety big watertank in it somthing like 500ltr plus all my kit two vacs jet wash power inverter etc etc

Gotcha
Have you thought of using a trailer??
P

could you not just bin the rear seats, and paint the inside of the windows? its not as it permanent, so why go to all this trouble of welding windows and balls

looks okay, as its all smooth on the outside i know someone who does it with a volvo (uses it as a van for his lawnmower buisness )

dont forget it will still be a car, just with no rear seats or windows.
water if heavy, you might be better off with a small van with leaf spring suspension

Like Dave says your weight issue could be a problem especially water due to its movement nature which would affect stability when cornering.
I always put my heaviest tools on the floor close to the axel to keep roll down to a minimum.
Good idea to by Serin too about painting the windows, you could always just line the inside of the windows with ply for extra security.
Pete