low emission zone filter

[Esilvester]

great news can you tell us what you sent to them ie did you send a letter and pics or just fill in the v5 and sent it to them so we can all get our light utility vehicles changed to estate car and have the privalage to drive around the wonderful london streets a bit longer

Sorry for the slow reply. This is the letter I sent:


Dear Sirs,

Please find enclosed my V5 log book for J310 DYR. I have made an entry in section7 altering the body type designation. The vehicle is a Toyota Hilux Surf. Also known as a 4runner. This is an SUV version of the Toyota Hilux truck, privately imported in to the UK
The body type has been designated on my V5 as a LIGHT 4X4 UTILITY , although most owners have it described as an “ESTATE” body type. This appears to be based on how the importer described it at the point of import.
The classification has become pertinent due to the Low Emission Zone requirements starting in Jan 2012. Those Surf owners whose vehicle has been described correctly are not obliged to pay or adapt their exhaust to enter the zone. Those who are not described as Estates, are expected to convert or change their vehicles. Both are very expensive options.
I enclose photographs of the vehicle to show how it does not differ in body shape from any other SUV on the market, such as an X5, Land Cruiser or Freelander and is a regular family estate vehicle
Yours truly,

etc etc etc

[davidy2980]

I can't remember but think mine says PLG (private light goods) on the log book V5.
When I insert my Reg into their website it says I'm not affected. Looking at the number of posts somethings got people talking again.

Whats happened?

What is a 4x4 light-utility?

How can a Surf be classed as an estate car? It isn't. Unless you lower it, remove the 4wd system as per last weeks photo.

on my v5 it says plg in the taxation class but its the body type that says light utility vehicle which is basically a pick up,the actual body is the same as an estate car not a pick up so dvla cocked up somewhere which is why we have to send v5 back and get it changed to what it should be so we can keep our surfs in london after jan 3rd.

[davidy2980]

Sorry for the slow reply. This is the letter I sent:


Dear Sirs,

Please find enclosed my V5 log book for J310 DYR. I have made an entry in section7 altering the body type designation. The vehicle is a Toyota Hilux Surf. Also known as a 4runner. This is an SUV version of the Toyota Hilux truck, privately imported in to the UK
The body type has been designated on my V5 as a LIGHT 4X4 UTILITY , although most owners have it described as an “ESTATE” body type. This appears to be based on how the importer described it at the point of import.
The classification has become pertinent due to the Low Emission Zone requirements starting in Jan 2012. Those Surf owners whose vehicle has been described correctly are not obliged to pay or adapt their exhaust to enter the zone. Those who are not described as Estates, are expected to convert or change their vehicles. Both are very expensive options.
I enclose photographs of the vehicle to show how it does not differ in body shape from any other SUV on the market, such as an X5, Land Cruiser or Freelander and is a regular family estate vehicle
Yours truly,

etc etc etc

hi ed
nice one did you send pics of just your car to them or ones of x5,land cruiser etc.this has been hanging over me like a black cloud as i dont want to sell my surf but now i dont have to,would it be ok if i used your letter when i send mine off

[dieselboy]

My log book V5 thingy states "5 Door Hatchback" under body type, and taxation class is "Private/Light Goods PLG"

I've always thought the five door hatchback classification was a mistake, if I'm honest. I've never cared what the log book says until now, though.

Mine also says 2 axle rigid body.

This whole thing is a little rediculous, though. The only differences between a 4Runner type vehicle and the usual hilux is the truck bed. Take up same amount of room and similar emissions no doubt.

Still, mine is not registered as an estate as some of you are mentioning. Could you clarify that for me please?


Thinking about it, mine is registed as a Citroen Saxo.

[TonyN]

Thinking about it, mine is registed as a Citroen Saxo.

Well a Saxo is a hatch...



I forgot your reg issue, I'd leave it at that for tax reasons...

I just got a 2nd Gen 4Runner to break for parts, its Body type; Estate, and Tax class; Private Light goods.

Have just sold a M reg 2nd Gen Surf that is also classed as an Estate, PLG, so not all 2nd Gens are wrong.

[dieselboy]

Well a Saxo is a hatch...



I forgot your reg issue, I'd leave it at that for tax reasons...

Reg issue?

[TonyN]

Wasn't it your number plate that comes back as a Saxo when you do the insurance check thing?

Or maybe I was dreaming, it was a year ago or so...

[dieselboy]

LOL no not me! That would have been quite funny.

[Esilvester]

I got a reply from TFL and my surf is off the list - its status is set to "not subject to LEZ"

To recap, this is what I did - I sent a cover letter off with my V5 with a correction to the relevant part, describing the car as an estate rather than a LUV, complete with a picture of a surf.

When you get the V5 back, send a copy off to Boris (PO BOX 4784 Worthing BN11 9PU) with another cover letter and you should get the same response.

Quite relived!

[Esilvester]

My log book V5 thingy states "5 Door Hatchback" under body type, and taxation class is "Private/Light Goods PLG"

I've always thought the five door hatchback classification was a mistake, if I'm honest. I've never cared what the log book says until now, though.

Mine also says 2 axle rigid body.

Enter your reg here to check your status in the database: https://lowemissionzone.tfl.gov.uk/b...ovideVRM.faces

[Diezel Weazel]

Latest from me, post 11

http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/showthrea...+Emission+Zone

[=jon=]

I submitted my updated v5c, complete with a covering letter and pictures showing it's an estate car, not a commercial vehicle, and after a months waiting, I got a letter from cardiff in the post this morning....

Open it up, no covering letter, just the new v5c... Have a look and my Surf is still classed as 4x4 light utility

Time to start all over again...

[=jon=]

After sending the V5C back again, and having a strop at DVLA via their web site, I've had some explanation as to why they won't change it from 4x4 Light Utility. Apparently Toyota GB have to provide proof that it's not a commercial vehicle for them to update the records...

[flounderbout]

After sending the V5C back again, and having a strop at DVLA via their web site, I've had some explanation as to why they won't change it from 4x4 Light Utility. Apparently Toyota GB have to provide proof that it's not a commercial vehicle for them to update the records...

Someone has attached a letter from Toyota which did the trick somewhere on one of these posts. I'd just print that out and send it...

[=jon=]

Someone has attached a letter from Toyota which did the trick somewhere on one of these posts. I'd just print that out and send it...

Any links? I've searched but all I can find is one from Toyota confirming it is a LUV!