Why is the tax so expensive for my Volkswagen Transporter camper van conversion?

I bought a Volkswagen Transporter T30 130 TDI SWB automatic, registered 29 March 2006, and had it converted to a camper van. The yearly tax has gone from £215 to £400 to £405 and, this year, £425. This is just £35 less than a Ferrari 458 Spider. Our van drives at 60mph on the motorway and does 39 mpg. Can I contest this tax?

Asked on 30 June 2012 by GJ, Bruichladdich, Isle of Islay

Answered by Honest John
No. What happened is that after the conversion, instead of being taxed as a light commercial vehicle, it is now taxed as a car and it is taxed on the basis of its CO2 emissions, which must be between 226 and 255g/km CO2. The 2011-2012 rate is £445.
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