Ask an expert

I bought a Renault Trafic that had started life as a cab and chassis. It had a wide body titted by Coman of Sweden and the unit was then fitted out in Japan as a Multirider commuter bus. I bought the unit in NZ and it carried a COF. We have stripped all of the "bus" components out and will be fitting out as a motorhome. The vehicle will finish up way under the 4 tonne limit. Can you inform me how to apply for conversion from COF to WOF. I have enquired via the LTSA 0800 number but they were not at all helpful.

The COF is generally for heavier vehicles with a gross laden weight exceeding 3500kg (not 4 tonnes as you have stated).

You cannot downrate the chassis as the manufacturers rating is what is taken into account. Only vehicles that are used (as example) as taxis or rental vehicles, with a gross laden weight less than 3500kg, can change to a WOF when the vehicle is sold for private use.

You will need to get the modifications LVVcertified - you should contact a certifier before you start with the modifications.

Thanks for the advice. Obviously not the answer I was hoping for but at least now I know. I have already started conversion and we do already have an LVV certified engineer involved. Cheers

As another note: Heavy vehicles need to contact the Heavy Vehicle Engineers for the modifications to be certified. But some modifications won't need to be certified - ask the certifier beforehand for clarification and they will point you in the right direction.

Interestingly, most info I have found on a Renault Trafic indicates a GVM of around 3000 kgs. That would make this a light vehicle, subject to a WOF not a COF. It also means that the vehicle modifications are certified by an LVV certifier, not a Heavy Vehicle Engineer. An explanation for the current COF as opposed to a WOF if the GVM is under 3500 kgs could be that your vehicle was used as a rental or a passenger service vehicle (PSV) which would then require a COFA. Under this senario, it is an easy process for a Testing Station to change the inspection back to a WOF.
Hope this helps.

From the description of this particular Renault Traffic it seems it isn't the standards type we are used to seeing - from the description it seems to be a modified version.

But whether it can be changed to a WOF will be determined according to the vehicles manufacturer rated Gross Laden Weight.

The problem ako_newplymouth is that this vehicle is a Renault Multirider (NOT a Traffic) - it's gross laden weight is 4400kg - it is not /cannot be legible for WOF