Anyone done this? Thought about doing it? 

 

I had a brainwave (quite dangerous really), on the way into work today and thought what if?   Would it be the first one (of the Fabia kind)?  main reasons would be so i can throw the bike in the back/massive boot build etc. Not for commercial use. 

Well i have had the seats removed and the Tints darker on the rear and used a vRS Fabia as a Van, and had it MOT'd OK.

Then one Bolshie Examiner (doing his job correctly actually) wanted the Rear Seats back in for the Test, so it went some place else and was tested as presented with no rear seats and no rear seat belts fitted.

 

Maybe start with a Estate Car & job done, 

or just put the seats down in an Estate Car, and you have a Dual Use Vehicle.

You can fit Security Grills in the rear, but if someone thinks there is valuable stuff in the rear they might just tale the vehicle.

 

Maybe do a Pickup, Starting with an Estate Car not a Hatch Back.

That's what made me think about it, I had to take my rear seats out (just the bottom not the back) and folded down the backs and it looked so much better loads of room.  I haven't got time/cash to go out get a estate etc etc.

What do you mean then,

do you want to weld the rear doors closed and panel the rear side windows, and make it a van?

It will just make it less practical but a Van.

(& then get the Insurance for a Modified Vehicle with reduced seating, and let the DVLA know if doing things legit.)

What do you mean then,

do you want to weld the rear doors closed and panel the rear side windows, and make it a van?

It will just make it less practical but a Van.

(& then get the Insurance for a Modified Vehicle with reduced seating, and let the DVLA know if doing things legit.)

 

That was my original plan yeah. but as you say be less practical.  So what do you suggest?  Remove the seats & seatbelts then use it like that?

 

If i did go down the panel route as well as telling DVLA would it need VIC testing too?

I have not required to with the 2 seat Pick up i have made out of a 4 seater.

(you do not need a Vehicle Identification Check, your VIN never changed, Same Body, same Engine, not a Commercial Vehicle, same VED,

but you are changing the Seating, but reducing not adding, it was all easy with local DVLA Offices and visit a 

VOSA test Centre, actually it is as easy now, it is just Swansea Lose Paperwork, or get difficult, 

or sometimes just say, on you go, no change required.)

 

I thought you were looking to save money,

why not just use it as is, unless you are building it as a keeper, you can still sell it as a car,

but as a van you will need to find someone that wants a 6 year old Fabia vRS Van..

(do you have someone to help panel and prepare and spray it? Are you welding and smoothing the back doors?

Or you can just Wrap the Rear Windows.)

Your engine could give up anytime and you are stuffed.

My car your age just stuggled to pass the MOT on Emissions which was a PITA.

i don't understand the first bit of the reply.

 

 

Not really fussed about saving money, just wanted more space in the back of my Fabia, for bikes/sound system etc.  I wouldn't be changing my insurance to business class as it won't be used for a business. 

 

In my head i had to weld and smooth the rear doors then panel the windows...sounds like it'd be a first for a Fabia VRS van

 

And Yes I've got all intentions of keeping it.   Engines meh can get hold of engines if needed, plus mines just flew through it's MOT with no advisories.

The first part is that i have a Jimny that is cut down to a 2 seat pick up and the DVLA did not care and it still shows as a 4 Seater even though 

i had a IVA done on it.

Yet with Seats Folded down or Removed all together some cars like my Standard Jimny & MOT Testers want the Number of Seats and Seat Belts as shows for that Vehicle or they will not completer the Test.

(Saving money, i was referring to what you said the other day about keeping this car for a while.)

 

If you do it well it will be lovely, and yes the first vRS Van we know of.

So you are just as well to go with it if having a 2 seater suits you.

Personally i do not think you gain anymore room,  but there will obviously be some extra.

 

PS

If you know where to find used and good Twincharger Engines maybe let the new member needing one know where,

not the ones that show online under Car Parts, they are never available when anyone tries to buy one.

 

 

This had 7 MOT's without Rear Seats fitted then 1 tester refused to continue a test without rear seats.

(seat belts still in place.)

Why not just take the rear seats out and unbolt the seat belt clips from the middle and leave it at that?

 

There will be loads of space, and you can still open the back doors to get things out if needed. Even the Skoda Praktik has opening rear doors.

 

Get the windows tinted or mirrored if you want privacy in the back.

 

If you really wanted it to be more practical, you could fix in some ply to make it one flat surface all the way to the back of the front seats. 

 

 

Having the Spare Wheel out and no floor actually gives more space for Push Bikes and bits and pieces. 

I glued Carry Mat (Sleeping Mat) in & then Rubber bought from 'Machine Mart'.

The first part is that i have a Jimny that is cut down to a 2 seat pick up and the DVLA did not care and it still shows as a 4 Seater even though 

i had a IVA done on it.

Yet with Seats Folded down or Removed all together some cars like my Standard Jimny & MOT Testers want the Number of Seats and Seat Belts as shows for that Vehicle or they will not completer the Test.

(Saving money, i was referring to what you said the other day about keeping this car for a while.)

 

If you do it well it will be lovely, and yes the first vRS Van we know of.

So you are just as well to go with it if having a 2 seater suits you.

Personally i do not think you gain anymore room,  but there will obviously be some extra.

 

PS

If you know where to find used and good Twincharger Engines maybe let the new member needing one know where,

not the ones that show online under Car Parts, they are never available when anyone tries to buy one.

 

 

This had 7 MOT's without Rear Seats fitted then 1 tester refused to continue a test without rear seats.

(seat belts still in place.)

Ah yeah sorry for ntoreading it right lol.  What if my seats etc, have been sold (lets just say) will they just refuse to test it? which isn't a problem, I can take it elsewhere.

I won't gain rom but will be more than there is at the moment, which is what I would like. 

Well not twincharged engines like my vrs but it's a case of hunting round.

Ddid you take it to anther tester?

 

Why not just take the rear seats out and unbolt the seat belt clips from the middle and leave it at that?

 

There will be loads of space, and you can still open the back doors to get things out if needed. Even the Skoda Praktik has opening rear doors.

 

Get the windows tinted or mirrored if you want privacy in the back.

 

If you really wanted it to be more practical, you could fix in some ply to make it one flat surface all the way to the back of the front seats. 

 

 

 

That might be the easiest way around things I think.    And yeah I was also thinking about the ply wood..  Possibly take out the spare as it's only a spacesaver any way.

Nath, 

you can always take vehicles to other testers until you get results you want, or even have 'Mates'.

 

With Emissions you can pull the probe out a little, stick it up the tail pipe of a car parked next to it,

its all been done for years, and people lose there 'Test Tickets' because of it.

 

When you know a car is good, running rights and the 'Test' is showing high, you can take the car for a good roasting 

and retest, Fail, Pass, and still want it to run right.

I need to go get my ECU sorted, i am running the car on a different set up just now,

& not on my usual APR map & had it running right for my liking, but going to change back to Stage 1 APR,

what VOSA wants is not a real concern.

Not had back seats in mine for years. Even chopped out the the T piece that sticks up, so will never have seats in again. It does make slinging golf clubs in a lot easier.