S Class VED rates

[stumpy]

Just been speccing a W221 320L Cdi for the business and have stumbled across a slight problem. I like Blk / Blk with some toys for the driver and some toys for the client in the back. But, I like the big 5 spoke AMG alloys with 275 width tyres. This is the problem, with these tyres the car falls into the 400 quid VED bracket whereas with the 235s it is 210 quid. How do the DVLA know which you have? What if I ordered the std wheels and then after delivery bought the 19s? Then it wouldn't show up on the vehicle spec I guess. But then the wheels would cost more too I reckon.

This isn't so much about the money, as to argue the toss over 190 quid (gets charged to the client anyway) on a 60 grand car is a bit churlish................It's just the principle really pees me off.

I may as well just get another 500 and debadge it to keep the greenies happy.

 

[davidsl500]

I presume that the VED relates to the vehicle as supplied by the manufacturer / dealer and so a modification afterwards would not be picked up and thus the lower rate would still apply.

I can understand where your coming from but it doesn't really matter does it ?

If you bought the bigger wheels/tyres later and sold the other ones as brand new I wonder what the price differential would be? IF it was, say just as an example, £500 more to do this then after 3 years you would have saved £570 on VED but would have lost £500 quid immediately.

Then of course you would have to advise the insurance company of the change of specification from the manufacturers original spec - and insurers dont like fancy wheels and tyres !

In the mean time the depreciation over the 3 years on the car would have lost £30,000 or probably more, the running costs would be such that that the VED would be such a small percentage that it really isnt worth time calculating it !

I understand your point though, Stumpy. There will always be "loopholes" formed where there are specific rates set for emmissions, taxes or anything else in this world..

 

[Splatt]

Believe me, The DVLA know exactly the full specification of your car as the data is linked to the car VIN no. and hence the registration number.
If you change anything which affects the manufacturers original data for the car the DVLA require you to inform them.
If you have wider tyres this will be shown on the licence renewal form and taken into the CO2 banding.
As for the relevent effect , remember they have only just started putting the screws on the nuts of owners of high band vehicles. They are just warming to the task.

 

[Xtractorfan]

And just to add to your woes..and us all, as most of the traffic wardens and the spying fraternity in general are from private firms, do you not think they will be aware of the loopholes and subsequently clamp and impound your vehicle for non declaration, at considerable cost and aggro to yourself.. tis time for citizen smith to don the beret..ha...

 

[A210AMG]

How do different tyres have an affect on the CO2.

I understand in principle where you are coming from, but as others have mentioned deprciation on the car would mean the difference be it £225 or £400 for tax doubt is an issue.


I would rather have the larger wheels and pay the higher tax, wheels really set off a car and the new S class NEEDS big wheels.

 

[Splatt]

How do different tyres have an affect on the CO2.

.

Rolling resistance.

 

[A210AMG]

Geezzz

Good job they don't weigh the drivers, that will be next.

Dread to think what my tax would be

 

[stumpy]

How do different tyres have an affect on the CO2.

I understand in principle where you are coming from, but as others have mentioned deprciation on the car would mean the difference be it £225 or £400 for tax doubt is an issue.


I would rather have the larger wheels and pay the higher tax, wheels really set off a car and the new S class NEEDS big wheels.

Like I said, it is not just about the money. I could save 10 times that by not speccing it with toys. I just hate the principle that due to the rear wheels being 2 in wider it jumps up to 400 quid. I mean, how do they measure and therefore justify that? This is surely taking it too far! And you're right, a Black 221 needs 19s. If I were to pay the higher tax I'd rather have a 500.

 

[A210AMG]

I see your point Stumpy no probs


I'd rather have the 500 also

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Unbelievable.! :twisted:

Is it any wonder that 1,000's of people are abandoning this once-Great Britain..!!??

Just another con, by this corrupt band of Jesters in Whitehall, to get more money from the easy-target Motorists.

 

[stumpy]

Just seen that the wheels I like are 20s! Even better Maybe this is why so many 320s I see running around are on skinnies.

 

[A210AMG]

Cool will look the business

 

[hawk20]

Stumpy: first off why do you want boy racer wheels. Large wheels and low profile tyres just spoil the ride (and look like the Nova crowd have bought a Merc). They also Aquaplane more easily, increase the drag, put up fuel consumption and are in every way -in my book- a silly idea. That's my rant for the day over!

Earlier postings in this thread are not correct about DVLA. I have checked with them and this is the legal position: -

You are taxed on the wheels and tyres supplied when new and on the CO2 emissions shown in the log book. If you change wheels after that it has no effect on the VED. (tax is always a blunt instrument and administrative convenience is often the over-riding factor when govts choose how to apply and enforce).

Don't be annoyed by the system. All tax systems involve boundaries and either side of the boundary there are always annoying anomalies. One mark too few in an exam, can mean no A grade and no place at the university of choice. Worse than 1" smaller wheels.

 

[stumpy]

They are not boy racer wheels at all ?!? They are AMG 5 spokes which fill the arches much better than the std wheels. The std wheels are out of proportion to the size of the car imo. As for the ride - the S has very good suspension and is perfectly acceptable on large rims. Aquaplaning - yes in extremis, but I drive in accordance with the conditions. What about more rubber equals more grip in the dry then? Drag and fuel consumption, effect on drag is negligable and consumption; I'm not the best person to comment on that really. Hawk, I can respect your views on many things but having a pop about wheels is taking your 'sensible motoring' stance a bit too far. I know you love your A classes and rightly so, they are very good at what they do. I hope Ulrika gets one when she changes next. But for me, a big black S needs the big wheels. Coupled to that, the high end chauffeur market is alot about image and making a statement. That's why people pay so much money. What will you think when I have a Phantom on the books? Supply and demand, pure and simple.

Are you saying then that if you spec an S on 20s from new, the CO2 on the V5 will reflect this? What if you buy a second hand one with 20s, hate the ride and stick 17s back on it? What about when you have winter tyres fitted? Sorry to drone on, but this is boll*cks

 

[tromppost]

Black with Black and those 19 inch wheels look great. It's amazing what the wheels can do to the look of a car.

 

[A210AMG]

Have to agree I would go for 20's on an S class

I had 19" on a 3 series convertible and the ride was firm but not BAD, pretty sure an S class will ride a lot better than a convertible

Its a huge car with the wide arches (look wide) so needs big wheels standard 17" look daft.

 

[hawk20]

Are you saying then that if you spec an S on 20s from new, the CO2 on the V5 will reflect this? What if you buy a second hand one with 20s, hate the ride and stick 17s back on it? What about when you have winter tyres fitted? Sorry to drone on, but this is boll*cks

Question 1: Yes, I am saying that. You can phone DVLA to confirm.
Question 2:- That is what I would do but you would still pay VED as if it still had 20's.
Question 3:- You pay tax on the CO2 emissions shown on the original registration document.

Wheels are a personal choice and we all have different taste. But the car and its suspension was designed for 17 inch wheels. To go to 18 inch wheels probably won't have too much effect on the ride. But 20 inch wheels IMO look like LA on a bad night and must compromise the ride. Soon we shall have solid aluminium wheels with just a thin photocopy of a tyre round the rims.

 

[tromppost]

But 20 inch wheels IMO look like LA on a bad night and must compromise the ride.

Lived in LA for a few years, Never a bad night in the land of milk and honey!

 

[outsmartsmart]

As far as I know you don't have to inform the DVLA of chenges to the car just your insurance so buying it with standard wheels and retro-fitting afterwards the way to go.

The Smart ForTwo has this issue as (on older cars) the standard alloys meant it was <120g/km but alloys made it 121g/km so tax went from £35 to £115.

 

[davidsl500]

As far as I know you don't have to inform the DVLA of chenges to the car just your insurance so buying it with standard wheels and retro-fitting afterwards the way to go.
quote]

There are a few changes that have to be notified eg., Change of Engine - Engine Number different, Change of Vehicle Colour, change of vehicle class - eg., van to car..