Pickups losing their commercial vehicle status

.:MBK:. said:
bring on the return of the single cabs, and utes while they are at it. always had a soft spot for the older smaller pickups over these newer tanks anyway.
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Though the extra load bed length makes them far more practical - most double cabs are just a smidge too short for almost anything you'd want to just chuck in the back like a bike, I just think single cabs look a bit silly.

Ultimately they are a bit of a jack of all trades, master of none which is perfect for me as my life tends to be a little bit of everything and not many vehicles really accommodate that.
 
My dad always had single cab RWD Toyota Hilux's for work and they were brilliant. He was most miffed when his only option was a jacked up 4x4 thing. As he said, he carries electric motors in the back, he doesn't go off roading in it!

Going back a long way even his single cab Toyota Hiace was a practical family car for many years. Although in hindsight the padded engine cover between the seats, with no seatbelt, that I used to get perched on probably wasn't the most suitable of seats.
 
Rroff said:
Though the extra load bed length makes them far more practical - most double cabs are just a smidge too short for almost anything you'd want to just chuck in the back like a bike, I just think single cabs look a bit silly.

Ultimately they are a bit of a jack of all trades, master of none which is perfect for me as my life tends to be a little bit of everything and not many vehicles really accommodate that.
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Yeah i think that's a fair sum up of double cab pickups, there are a small selection of people where they do work well for when you need them to do a little bit of everything and can put up with the compromises.

This change will just stop a load of people who have no use for one at all getting one just because it's a tax swindle.
 
Rroff said:
Only affects those getting them through work, at this point no changes to VED status, etc. on personal purchasing.



Most of the UK ones aren't actually that large - width wise similar through to about 10cm wider than the average car, about 20-40cm longer than a saloon or estate. (Compared to the full size US ones which can be 20% wider).

Gonna be weird how they are going to be classified as a car for some purposes but still considered a van for the purpose of kerb weight in respect to speed limits.
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I'm not sure about that - a Raptor is 50cm longer, 30cm higher and 25cm wider than my Skoda Superb estate which itself feels pretty wide for some UK roads. It's a lot of extra car considering the load carrying capacity is actually pretty crappy because of the double cab.

I also have real concerns about front visibility, some of these things feel practically head height when you cross the road in front of them.

The only load I ever regularly see these things carrying is mountain bikes!
 
I’ve got an L200 as company car fiddle, but ….. works for me as 2 kids, large dog and we have a static caravan so is great for hauling stuff there and back. Size / visibility never found it much of an issue really. Height is about the same as our freelander 2 as second car, width fine, yes it’s longer but not hugely so. I live semi rural and roads generally a lot quieter so probably not as obvious for me. Imagine in London for example they would be worse, but the same for any larger car. Changing to an i4 come April (if it stays on time!) so will be a change, but looking at sizes and they are not that much different. I4 about 40cm shorter, but actually slightly wider.
 
One More Solo said:
I'm not sure about that - a Raptor is 50cm longer, 30cm higher and 25cm wider than my Skoda Superb estate which itself feels pretty wide for some UK roads. It's a lot of extra car considering the load carrying capacity is actually pretty crappy because of the double cab.

I also have real concerns about front visibility, some of these things feel practically head height when you cross the road in front of them.

The only load I ever regularly see these things carrying is mountain bikes!
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Raptor is one of the bigger ones. My Navara is quite a bit narrower. Only place visibility isn't great is immediately over the left front of the bonnet but for manoeuvring most newer ones have 360 cameras. You do have to be aware of A pillar blind spots as well as those are typically chunkier and more vertical than a typical car. Overall though visibility is vastly better than your average car.
 
I've had a couple of double cab Rangers and have absolutely no need for them but it was the cheapest vehicle that would fit the family in on my company car scheme at the time. Difficult to park in normal places, pretty high to get in and out etc. Had roll-top bed but transporting things was far from optimal. Ride and handling with an empty bed also..compromised. Definitely a commercial from my PoV.

That said, I enjoyed driving them, they are great fun and awesome vehicles to drive around, especially with the larger engines. Just not practical for day-to-day in the UK for me.
 
blimey only 20 years too late typical goverments:)
i made a roaring trade 20 years ago fitting alarms central locking and 4 times electric windows to isuzu crewcabs. folk were buying them because of tax loopholes and then piling extras on them, ive seen them with aircon and full leather being fitted , ohh and electric sunroofs or moon roofs as we called them, sometomes the extras could run into thousands on top :)
most were used to do the odd quote then personal transport for the family.....
 
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gc123 said:
blimey only 20 years too late typical goverments:)
i made a roaring trade 20 years ago fitting alarms central locking and 4 times electric windows to isuzu crewcabs. folk were buying them because of tax loopholes and then piling extras on them, ive seen them with aircon and full leather being fitted , ohh and electric sunroofs or moon roofs as we called them, sometomes the extras could run into thousands on top :)
most were used to do the odd quote then personal transport for the family.....
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Yeah its like 25 years when we bought 10 V6 Izuzu Trooper Citations from the local dealer and they had the rear windows removed and panels put in and the rear seats unbolted and the bolts in the glovebox.

Fully loaded up with leather and all the gadgets but came from the dealer registered as vans and we all paid £500 a year for them in company car tax. We just all bolted the rear seats back in.

Okay the rear passengers had now windows but well worth it.
 
alex24 said:
I've had a couple of double cab Rangers and have absolutely no need for them but it was the cheapest vehicle that would fit the family in on my company car scheme at the time. Difficult to park in normal places, pretty high to get in and out etc. Had roll-top bed but transporting things was far from optimal. Ride and handling with an empty bed also..compromised. Definitely a commercial from my PoV.

That said, I enjoyed driving them, they are great fun and awesome vehicles to drive around, especially with the larger engines. Just not practical for day-to-day in the UK for me.
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Parking isn't fun, I sometimes Google maps ahead LOL, but not that terrible either mostly... mostly. Personally like the height. Do miss having a conventional boot though, even with a heavy duty tonneau cover the load bed is no replacement for a boot. Ride and handling not a problem with my Navara despite rear leaf springs, though I've always rated it ahead of the Fords in that respect, most people who've been a passenger actually comment on how smooth it is LOL though I think that is partly my driving compared to theirs. Tyres do make a huge difference though - too soft sidewalls and they can be pretty terrible, while heavier duty all-terrain or mud tyres, etc. can also make them feel clunky.

Definitely wouldn't want to drive one without a V6 though :( which is why I've not hurried to change from my older one.
 
Most people would find a pickup smooth compared to most modern cars coming on the road in Europe, which all seem to favour rock hard suspension and large wheels with low profile tyres over comfort. Even with sub 180HP engines so it’s not like they’re sporty in many cases. Doesn’t make much sense to me, especially for more expensive ‘luxury’ cars that still have pretty bone shaking ride compared to a pickup. But that’s another rant maybe for another thread.
 
I wonder what percentage are actually used for their intended purpose, as opposed to being a tax-efficient choice. Will it increase the value of those already registered?
 
julianhj said:
I wonder what percentage are actually used for their intended purpose, as opposed to being a tax-efficient choice. Will it increase the value of those already registered?
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5%. I reckon orders from them will go through the roof between now and July esp since HMRC says it wont apply to pickups ordered before 1st july. So even ones delivered in Nov will still be under the old taxation. Lods of the shooting lot have them purely fro tax reasons. I bet most will be ordering a new replacement this week.

Second hand market will get flooded in the next few months and prices will drop. Not many people by a used one through the business for the tax savings.
 
Tinders said:
I reckon PHEVs will be next. The bandings are set till 2028, after that EV’s will start going up. Best to get one now to take advantage of the savings :p
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That makes sense, as business owners move on to the next tax efficient option, HMRC will follow. In the meantime might it help EV sales a little?
 
Tinders said:
I reckon PHEVs will be next. The bandings are set till 2028, after that EV’s will start going up. Best to get one now to take advantage of the savings :p
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I can guarantee that an EV will become an option for my company car as soon as the bait and switch is over. I'm sure the BIK % will still look more attractive but against a huge P11D value.
 
Tinders said:
I reckon PHEVs will be next. The bandings are set till 2028, after that EV’s will start going up. Best to get one now to take advantage of the savings :p
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Both EVs and PHEVS re already going up 1% BIK every year. EVS are 5% by 2028 and PHEVs are 5-17% depending on EV range.

Why anybody would think that wouldnt continue after 2028 or be surprised by it is beyond me. EVs and PHEVs will keep going up 1% every year until they are 37% in 2060 just the same as the worst ICE cars.
 
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Greebo said:
Both EVs and PHEVS re already going up 1% BIK every year. EVS are 5% by 2028 and PHEVs are 5-17% depending on EV range.

Why anybody would think that wouldnt continue after 2028 or be surprised by it is beyond me. EVs and PHEVs will keep going up 1% every year until they are 37% in 2060 just the same as the worst ICE cars.
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The government are very likely thinking long term about the declining tax base from ICE cars, and by gradually increasing the EV/PHEV taxes might be able to maintain a steady level of revenue.
 
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