We've got around 20 old motorbikes, about 12 of which will be exempt (mainly 1920s) now and bar one or two that are work in progress (like this one http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0... the majority are on the road, or can be on the road at any time. Living in a fairly rural location though, means that trying to get to the MOT testing place that can actually do vintage bikes means a ~45 mile round trip, most of which is on the main roads and is horrible.

I agree to a point that this may be seen as a kick in the teeth as far as having a voice is concerned, but it's not something I actually think will happen. There's some pretty 'big' names (Lord Montague for example) that are classic/vintage enthusiasts. The UK is also eccentric enough to allow things like the London to Brighton run to carry on, when I'm sure that many nanny countries wouldn't. I spent quite a bit of time in Australia, living at my cousin's house - he has about 25 vintage bikes and whilst they're not supposed to ride anytie except on organise events, every club in every town organises an 'event' every weekend, so it doesn't really make any difference to him!

What has really got up my nose about all of the threads on here is that I suspect many of the nay-sayers, don't actually know anyone that is involved with old vehicles. I am, in fact I'm hugely involved in various ways and have been for 30 years. I've never met anyone that would risk riding a dangerous bike, yet many on these threads seems to think this will be the overnight effect (even though the penalties for being caught with a dangerous vehicle will be the same the day after as the day before). It's also the case that if you didn't take good, regular care of a vintage vehicle, it would be in a dangerous state 11 months after the MOT at the moment!

Sorry, ranting now!

Because by definition, you have to look after an old vehicle! You can't leave it standing for 11 months, jump in/on it and away you go!

You need a very sound mechanical knowledge (or to pay someone who has) to keep an old vehicle on the road and reliable, the kind of knowledge that you don't need for a new car. And you don't tend to find people with a sound mechanical knowledge not bothering to check the tyres/brakes or whatever else on their pride and joy!

Well, we'll have to agree to disagree then, as my experience (and my mates) of doing it is clearly very different to yours.

Its not the safety check I want, the actual MOT is a total waste of time. But the little bit of paper saying I can use my car with no restrictions is what I want.


Maybe I'm being paranoid, but everywhere I look the government is trying to take my money or put me out of business.
So im a little nervous.

Lots of lovely number plates on old cars rotting away. We can now get them off

The only problem i can see is some dodgy car dealers making rough repairs with no fear of failing a mot.

Restrictions.

The issue with this is not the enthusiasts who maintain their cars well, but with people who think they are maintaining their cars well. There are people who spend ages making the car look pristine, but ignore the fact that half the floorpan is rotten and there's 1/4 turn of play in each direction in the steering.

I don't need legislation and regulation to help me, but I do need it to protect me from the vast population of cretinous spcaktards who I have to share a country with. There are thousands of 'enthusiasts' who will happily drive around in something with barely functioning brakes, ruined suspension and baggy steering as long as it starts and runs.

As for people saying you can't use a pre 1960 car every day, how do you think people managed 50 years ago? With a few tweaks there are loads of late 50s cars which could be reliably used every day, and with free tax, no MoT to worry about and classic insurance I bet a lot more people will start looking at early Landies, Beetles, Anglias and other stuff.

Jamiebae- I agree. I know of old cars which never get their tyres off the ground between MOTs. I don't see the hardship in an annual check particularly with brake and fuel lines going unchecked under the car. Just like every hobby in life, some folks are better at it than others- and I don't like the thought of sharing our increasingly confined road space with cars which are in poor condition.
A lot of people are talking in miles- but miles are largely irrelevant. Parts will corrode, seize, perish etc even with zero use.

Is it confirmed the 10 million UK cititizens who dont live in England NEED the nanny state and stupid rules and regulations to be hand held rather than encouraged to think and proactively act themselves?