i have a toyota liteace but the dvla registration document calls it a townace. the dvla have sent me all the copy documentation including the original japanese owner details, interpol check etc etc but can not change the description as it came through customs as a townace. there is no british specifciation for a toyota liteace people carrier (only for vans) so no toyota main dealer can reclassify it for me. the garage i purchased it off assure me that there is no problem if all other data matches, eg chassis nos, engine nos. has anyone else had this problem? i have spoken to direct line who insure me and they say that if the dvla are happy so are they but i am not convinced. thanks.

- (#7268) Jan Pannell, 21 Feb 03

What's in a name, at the end of the day, if all the other details of the vehicle are correct on the reg doc, and it's all legal, then I wouldn't worry, you know you've got a Lite not a Townie, so that's all that matters.

- (#7362) Rob Drinkwater, 21 Feb 03

Jan
Count yourself lucky. As you say there is no UK spec for a Liteace. Its much more difficult to get them insured as it confuses the hell out of most insurance companies. ( and I suspect more expensive - anyone know how I can get mine re-registered as a Townace! ) The vehicle is registered as a townace by the goverment body, the DVLA. So its legal as far as your concerned. I've seen Townaces that look identical ( except for the headlamp configuration ) to my Liteace. I don't fully understand why there are 2 names.

- (#7363) stephen judge, 21 Feb 03

The pre 93 models are different, the Liteace has a smaller body than the Townace & Masterace, the Liteace body being based on the same body as the UK spec Liteace van, on the later 93 onwards models, they use exactly the same body, some are badged as Townace, some as Liteace, even the suffix can vary, eg the 'Townace Super Extra 4x4' would be the 'Liteace Field Tourer' so it does get a bit confusing. Just depends what part of Toyota they came out of I think. The same applies to the Lucida/Estima/Emina models, all very similar, but built by different divisions of Toyota in Japan, so they gave then different names to differentiate which division had the 'best' sales. Different world over there! HTH Rob.

- (#7364) Rob Drinkwater, 22 Feb 03

Thanks for all the info I have the vehicle listed as Liteace with the insurance company. My only other concern is when I phoned to tell them, they did not seem to want to make a note of it. Should I press them to record that the reg document says townace? I have to clarify all this as my husband is so fed up he wants to sell the liteace and get a british made car but I like my liteace! Thanks.

- (#7434) Jan Pannell, 27 Feb 03

Jan
The vehicle is a Liteace and you've listed it as one with the insurance company. The badge on the back says Liteace! You've been most specific in informing your insurance company of the EXACT vehicle details. You have informed them and it is their responsibility to process your information as they see fit, not you!.
If they have accepted your information ( either way its correct Townace or Liteace because you can justify both ) its their responsibility and you have an official cover note / policy.
I would consider it legal and enjoy the driving experience.
- (#7435) stephen judge, 27 Feb 03