Is it legal to cut out the panel behind the seats of a xf van

I'm pretty sure anything that compromises the integrity of the chassis is illegal. i'm sure if you didn't have an accident it shouldn't effect anything else. In a sedan you can't modify the parcel shelf as it is for structural integrity but people do it anyway.

So legal no!

Yeah what elmoim said is pretty much correct. From my understanding you are not to remove any body metal from a car whatsoever whether you think it is structurally necessary or not.

As with most things I've encountered over the years, it depends on the law itself. IF you can find an authorised engineer who will sign off on an engineers certificate that the modification is safe etc etc then you can do it, otherwise, no, it's generally illegal.

Just my thoughts, comments, experiences and opinions. Cheers