Road-use adaptability defines motor vehicle status, allowing damages assessment for a container-moving Reach Stacker used within a depot.

A mechanically propelled wheeled vehicle is a motor vehicle where it is suitable or adapted for movement on roads, regardless of its actual operation only within restricted or enclosed private premises. A Reach Stacker mounted on a four-wheeled chassis and designed to travel on depot roads while carrying containers meets that test. Its use solely within an inland container depot and lack of registration do not change its character as a motor vehicle. The stated consequence is that the claimant is entitled to assessment of damages.

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Issues: Whether a Reach Stacker, mechanically propelled and mounted on a wheeled chassis for moving containers within an inland container depot, is a motor vehicle.

Analysis: The applicable test is whether the vehicle is mechanically propelled and adapted or suitable for use upon roads; its actual use on private, restricted, or enclosed premises is not determinative. The Reach Stacker had a chassis, four wheels, and was designed to travel on depot roads while carrying containers. Its capacity to move on roads and its wheeled configuration established that it was adapted for road use. Its operation solely within the depot and absence of registration did not alter that character.

Conclusion: The Reach Stacker is a motor vehicle; the claimant is entitled to assessment of damages.

Ratio Decidendi: A mechanically propelled wheeled vehicle suitable or adapted for movement on roads remains a motor vehicle notwithstanding that it is used within a restricted or enclosed private premises.

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