How do I prove the GVW (for LEZ)?

Post by **Fozzie** » 03 Dec 2008, 20:39

The Transport for London Low Emission Zone website says my camper became non-compliant on 8 September 2008. When pushed they tell me on the phone it's because their records show its gross vehicle weight is 5000kg. To be fair the bloke on the phone agreed that's a bit unlikely for a squitty 1.6 engine, but rules is rules.

The burden of proof is on me to show that the GVW is actually below 3500kg. But how? The Identification plate on the door pillar is blank ("Vehicles for export to certain countries have no identification plate" says the handbook; mine started life in Norway....). The logbook only shows unladen weight.

Have I missed something? And if so, where is it? Any help would be very, very welcome.

Post by **chippieshaun** » 03 Dec 2008, 21:06

My neighbour has a 1.6 diesel and has recently had a running argument with transport for london.
To be honest , i am not sure of all the exact details but to cut a long story short , he has won his right to be omitted from the LEZ.
I can find out more details for you when i get a minute but , rest assured , you will NOT have to pay it

What i do know is that he proved his case by providing the original wesfalia joker user manual which had all the weights specified.
What conversion have you got?

Post by **Fozzie** » 03 Dec 2008, 21:23

It's a 1.6TD Autohomes Karisma, factory conversion. Everything I read says this MUST be exempt. Your story is exactly what I - and I suspect several hundred other T25 diesel owners - need to hear.

The joke is that the engine is only 7000 miles old... I'm all for pollution control, but this is mad.

If you get more info on the battle won, please share it when you can. And thanks!

Post by **chippieshaun** » 03 Dec 2008, 22:44

do you have the original autohomes manual?
I have one in the van but is way too cold out there to go and get it at the moment!!
It should have all weights and measurements on there to prove your case.

Post by **Nicola&Tony** » 04 Dec 2008, 05:08

There are some Autohomes manuals in the wiki and they list gvw, can't see one for the Karisma though, but they might still be of use:
https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Sc ... er_manuals

Tony

Post by **Syncro G** » 04 Dec 2008, 17:11

VW might be able to help produice an ofical letter conferming GVW, try speeking to VW UK. If you give them the VIN number they should be able to tell you exactly what weight your van was built to (standard/high/reduiced payload).

Post by **Fozzie** » 04 Dec 2008, 17:23

Update: Have now had several conversations with Transport for London (and their outsourced agency, which I believe is run by Capita). I'm getting the impression this is a known problem...

I have an agreed action plan that should secure compliant status. If I can I'll generalise it and post it here so that all can benefit. My impression is that this is going to affect many, many members - though they may mostly be blissfully unaware of it at the moment.

Post by **R0B** » 04 Dec 2008, 17:25

could you take it to some place like this.and get writen proof off them... http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/sccwebsite/s ... endocument

Post by **syncroand101** » 04 Dec 2008, 17:32

I discovered this little nasty about 15 months ago - went through the exact process you have probably just been through!

As mine is an import, had to write off to the DVLA and have them update my V5 with the GVW, luckily I have the full stamped plate on my a-pillar, and a picture of this was enough to satisfy them to change it.

Once this was done, everything else fell into place, and my vehicle was exempt. So all you need is for the DVLA to update the V5 / vehicle information with the GVW...