Technical 4 to 5 seater

[nvrton]

Do you know this to be a fact or are you assuming it can't be done?

I went into the service dept at the main dealer and they said yes it can be done you just need to attach the belt to the belt bolts under the seat, speak to parts, so I went next door to parts and they said no we can't sell you a seatbelt it's nothing to do with us.

So I looked on the internet and I can get a seatbelt and fix it myself. I phoned my insurance and explained the car was registered as a 4 seater what would be the implications if I added another seatbelt to make it a 5 seater and they said none at all as far as they were concerned. I said are you sure, can you double check that for me? And he went away and came back and said absolutely fine by them.

Couldn't get any reply from DVLA by phone or email but on my V5 there is a form you can return with amendments and one of them is change of seats. So I'm thinking fill the form in, send it back and wait to see what their response is, if they send me a new V5 with 5 seats then I do it, if they send it back and say no you're an idiot then I won't do it.

Did you ever get a result on this? I’ve got a RHD Fiat panda cross, 4 seater 50/50 split in the back. Two headrests and buckles and would LOVE to get a third seat for those moments where I’m just driving family up the road.

I’ve been toying with the idea and wondering if it was even possible

 

[The Panda Nut]

It'll turn out to be an odd modification, as the clips for both existing seatbelts are right in the middle next to each other, so each end of the third seatbelt would be attached in the middle of the two existing seats.

You would need to replace the seat and relocate the outer belts for the reason given above. Easy enough but probably cheaper to change the car.

 

[jrkitching]

I’ve got a RHD Fiat panda cross, 4 seater 50/50 split in the back.

This is the 500 section; you really need to ask the question in the appropriate Panda section. I'd move it for you, but I don't know which version of Panda you have.

The Panda, at least in 169 form, did have the option of specifying it as a 5 seater when new, so if you can get the necessary parts, it's possible. You'll also need to inform DVLA and your insurer to keep it legal.

On the Panda it was a cheap option at order time (£50 IIRC), but wasn't popular and there aren't many about. 5 seats isn't legally possible in the 500, period.

 

[nvrton]

This is the 500 section; you really need to ask the question in the appropriate Panda section. I'd move it for you, but I don't know which version of Panda you have.

The Panda, at least in 169 form, did have the option of specifying it as a 5 seater when new, so if you can get the necessary parts, it's possible. You'll also need to inform DVLA and your insurer to keep it legal.

On the Panda it was a cheap option at order time (£50 IIRC), but wasn't popular and there aren't many about. 5 seats isn't legally possible in the 500, period.

Thank you. I’m a Panda Cross 0.9. If you explain how I can move my own question I’d be happy to. I didn’t want to start a new threat with all the context to my question already here and I’d noticed a couple comments were about different versions.

This is good info to have

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Thank you. I’m a Panda Cross 0.9. If you explain how I can move my own question I’d be happy to. I didn’t want to start a new threat with all the context to my question already here and I’d noticed a couple comments were about different versions.

This is good info to have

To make that change will require a change of the registration documents. That alone is probably enough to put you off as it's a time consuming process.
(As well as making the necessary changes to the car, these will then need to be assessed by an engineer and approved for 'Type Approval'...)

The whole back seat is different in the five seat version, plus an extra seat belt, different roof liner (to allow for that seat belt's mounting in the roof) and likely other bits too.

And, to be honest, unless you are a family of unhealthily thin people, it will be really tight in the back to squeeze five people in there. (The older model, although slightly narrower on the outside was actually wider on the inside, because the doors and safety cage were all thinner, leaving a tad more room across the inside.)

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

To go with the above reply, this image from the 2015 sales brochure...

 

[nvrton]

To make that change will require a change of the registration documents. That alone is probably enough to put you off as it's a time consuming process.
(As well as making the necessary changes to the car, these will then need to be assessed by an engineer and approved for 'Type Approval'...)

The whole back seat is different in the five seat version, plus an extra seat belt, different roof liner (to allow for that seat belt's mounting in the roof) and likely other bits too.

And, to be honest, unless you are a family of unhealthily thin people, it will be really tight in the back to squeeze five people in there. (The older model, although slightly narrower on the outside was actually wider on the inside, because the doors and safety cage were all thinner, leaving a tad more room across the inside.)

Hmm this is good to know. It wouldn’t be frequent trips, just if I need to lift 5 of us instead of 4 to a dinner or something it would be a nice plus.
It’s something I do enough to get use out of but not enough to replace the car.
I’m not too concerned around how long it would take or any red tape, so long as it is possible to do legally, it would just be the cost associated and not spending before I can be sure it’ll all be allowed

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Hmm this is good to know. It wouldn’t be frequent trips, just if I need to lift 5 of us instead of 4 to a dinner or something it would be a nice plus.
It’s something I do enough to get use out of but not enough to replace the car.
I’m not too concerned around how long it would take or any red tape, so long as it is possible to do legally, it would just be the cost associated and not spending before I can be sure it’ll all be allowed

Probably cheaper to just pay a taxi for the odd occasion…

 

[nvrton]

Probably cheaper to just pay a taxi for the odd occasion…

should’ve tried for the 5 door originally!

 

[The Panda Nut]

should’ve tried for the 5 door originally!

Our 169 was a 5 seater but it really wasnt wide enough except for children under about 10 years.

 

[jrkitching]

I’m not too concerned around how long it would take or any red tape, so long as it is possible to do legally

You need to do your own research, but my understanding from what I've seen posted elsewhere is that the process isn't particularly onerous.

Just send your V5 to DVLA and advise that the seating capacity has been increased to 5; likely they won't ask for evidence and will just update the details and issue a new V5. You might also want to advise your insurers of the change.

The hard bit is finding the parts; maybe try to find a written off 5 seater panda.

 

[nvrton]

You need to do your own research, but my understanding from what I've seen posted elsewhere is that the process isn't particularly onerous.

Just send your V5 to DVLA and advise that the seating capacity has been increased to 5; likely they won't ask for evidence and will just update the details and issue a new V5. You might also want to advise your insurers of the change.

The hard bit is finding the parts; maybe try to find a written off 5 seater panda.

And I suppose a mechanic who can do the seatbelt bit properly/to code?

Thank you for this

 

[Panda IIs]

And I suppose a mechanic who can do the seatbelt bit properly/to code?

Thank you for this

I have a 4 seater 4x4 and haven't tried the conversion. Your comment re coding is a good one since my car has the little dash infographic that shows the 4 seats and (I think when the four are occupied and belts on). This suggests that there are buckle sensors and seat pressure indicators? Does the 4 seater have the 5 seat wiring loom, are we bothered?

 

[The Panda Nut]

I have a 4 seater 4x4 and haven't tried the conversion. Your comment re coding is a good one since my car has the little dash infographic that shows the 4 seats and (I think when the four are occupied and belts on). This suggests that there are buckle sensors and seat pressure indicators? Does the 4 seater have the 5 seat wiring loom, are we bothered?

Belts buckle latch sensors only. One less wouldnot really matter.

 

[Panda IIs]

Belts buckle latch sensors only. One less wouldnot really matter.

Thanks for clarification - seat sensors would be an unnecessary complication.

 

[nvrton]

Yeah it’s one of those things that I wouldn’t bother with given the effort to make the seat conversion as a whole. Probably one of those things that would cost so much more than it’s worth to update.

 

[timmycm850]

In 2018 We purchased a 63 plate 1.2 only on the basis it was purple/ had aircon/5 seat and belts and the very best 1.2 engine.
8 years on it gone from 37k to 97k miles, oil change every year and engine doesnt rattle on start up, last night we had 5 grown ups it it.

2021 we ordered new a red hybrid sport and speced 5 seat belts, heated screen and many other options. We still get 5 grown ups in that too, all legal and no hassle.

They are out there and not difficult to find with patience.

Tim.

Ps when we got our 2005 1.2 i fitted an additional lap only belt into the middle two belt mounts, i now ensure the car is made with them when new. How things move on