Historic Vehicle MOT exemption

Author
Discussion

Thebaggers

352 posts

134 months

Sunday 14th April
quotequote all
mph said:
I've become an armchair expert on modified MGB's !

All the cars I'm looking at are based on the Rover engine. One in particular is very appealing but the owner has declared it substantially modified and hence not MOT exempt. He's well "qualified" and I'm sure he's done the correct thing. I have no issue with it either way but it did prompt me to look at whether the status of a particular car is available on the DVLA website. Apparently not.

Does the screenshot of the exemption form you've posted come up automatically ? I've just spoken to a friend of mine who also has no recollection of ticking an option. Could be we're both doing it subconsciously I suppose, but seems unlikely. Will be interesting to hear from others with MOT exempt vehicles.
Yes, come up automatically. If you take ownership and retax you can declare this yourself.

Peter3442

422 posts

69 months

Sunday 14th April
quotequote all
This is a topic that I take an interest in for my Jaguar renovation. I have a question for the MGB experts: how can an MGB roadster with a V8 engine not fall into the significantly modified category and therefore require an MoT?

The wording on the website goes: "alternative original equipment engines are not considered to be a substantial change."

I know the V8 went into the MGB GT, but a roadster isn't a GT. If the GT is close enough to the roadster for the V8 engine to pass, then isn't a 1960s S type Jaguar close enough to a Mk2 for the S type's independent rear suspension to be fitted to a Mk2 and not count as 'significantly modified'?

Then, if you don't go the whole hog with the S type IRS, what if you go half way and merely swap the Mk2 from leaf springs to coils?

And a final question/fear: since we now have historic divided between modified and non-modified, what's the possibility of the relevant authorities dropping the tax exemption for the modified category?

I'm not trying to argue with anyone, I just want to understand the rules.


Thebaggers

352 posts

134 months

Sunday 14th April
quotequote all
So these are relevant:

Chassis (replacements of the same pattern as the original are not considered a
substantial change) or Monocoque bodyshell including any sub-frames
(replacements of the same pattern as the original are not considered a substantial
change);

So you can change to a roadster chassis.

Engine – alternative cubic capacities of the same basic engine and alternative
Original equipment engines are not considered a substantial change.

The following are considered acceptable (not substantial) changes if they fall into
These specific categories:
• changes that are made to preserve a vehicle, which in all cases must be when
original type parts are no longer reasonably available;
• changes of a type, that can be demonstrated to have been made when
vehicles of the type were in production or in general use (within ten years of
the end of production);
• in respect of axles and running gear changes made to improve efficiency,
safety or environmental performance;
• in respect of vehicles that have been commercial vehicles, changes which can
be demonstrated were being made when they were used commercially.

So you can consider any brake and suspension changes to improve safety and efficiency in my eye.


Peter3442

422 posts

69 months

Sunday 14th April
quotequote all
Yes, the 'safety and efficiency' point seems to be a good card to justify a lot (such as my home made fuel injection). Hopefully, they don't go back on it. Having seen some of the problems of kit car owners, I don't trust DVLA/DVSA to be fair or consistent

mph

2,337 posts

283 months

Sunday 14th April
quotequote all
Thebaggers said:
So these are relevant:

Engine – alternative cubic capacities of the same basic engine and alternative
Original equipment engines are not considered a substantial change.
Given that MGB Roadsters were never fitted with a V8 engine, I'm assuming that owners of MGB Roadsters with V8 conversions are taking the line that since the MGB GT was available with the V8 engine, it's close enough. wink

Wonder how they get around MGB's with Mazda MX5 or V6 engines ?


Jordie Barretts sock

4,163 posts

20 months

Sunday 14th April
quotequote all
mph said:
Wonder how they get around MGB's with Mazda MX5 or V6 engines ?
By this, I imagine:

Changes of a type, that can be demonstrated to have been made when
vehicles of the type were in production or in general use (within ten years of
the end of production)

mph

2,337 posts

283 months

Sunday 14th April
quotequote all
Jordie Barretts sock said:
mph said:
Wonder how they get around MGB's with Mazda MX5 or V6 engines ?
By this, I imagine:

Changes of a type, that can be demonstrated to have been made when
vehicles of the type were in production or in general use (within ten years of
the end of production)
That would cover the V8's too.



Thebaggers

352 posts

134 months

Sunday 14th April
quotequote all
When the modification is over 30 years old you are all clear anyway. I doubt DVLA records go back very far into the non digital age.........