MOT and Classic cars
Discussion
Dont know if this is the right place to post this....
Does anyone have any information on what mot rules apply to classic cars.
I'm thinking things like windscreen washers etc?
It's not a topic about if its a sensible thing to do to fit things like this....but is it a legal requirement. Does anyone have a definitive document about this sort of stuff?
I get different answers from different MOT stations and cant find anything on the VOSA or DVLA websites.
Does anyone have any information on what mot rules apply to classic cars.
I'm thinking things like windscreen washers etc?
It's not a topic about if its a sensible thing to do to fit things like this....but is it a legal requirement. Does anyone have a definitive document about this sort of stuff?
I get different answers from different MOT stations and cant find anything on the VOSA or DVLA websites.
cazzer said:
Dont know if this is the right place to post this....
Does anyone have any information on what mot rules apply to classic cars.
I'm thinking things like windscreen washers etc?
It's not a topic about if its a sensible thing to do to fit things like this....but is it a legal requirement. Does anyone have a definitive document about this sort of stuff?
I get different answers from different MOT stations and cant find anything on the VOSA or DVLA websites.
Does anyone have any information on what mot rules apply to classic cars.
I'm thinking things like windscreen washers etc?
It's not a topic about if its a sensible thing to do to fit things like this....but is it a legal requirement. Does anyone have a definitive document about this sort of stuff?
I get different answers from different MOT stations and cant find anything on the VOSA or DVLA websites.
Cazzer, it depends entirely on the year of your vehicle.
In general terms if a piece of legislation was introduced after its manufacture, then it wouldn't apply to your vehicle.
For example it would be utterly impossible for something like an MGB or a Jaguar manufactured in the sixties and running SU carbs to pass the current MOT emission test.
The rule of thumb when I was doing classics was to ensure they were safe above all else, no rotten brake pipes or split flexy hoses, good tight steering joints and virtually perfect tyres.
The thing about the MOT though, is a tester has the right to fail on anything he considers to be dangerous, regardless of whether or not it is in the regulations.
Many of them don't but I'm afraid I never hesitated, I've seen too many horrific accidents caused by mechanical failure that could have been easily prevented.
Tell us what car you have and I will attempt to put my mind back a few years and tell you the weak spots for a MOT.
1958 Plymouth Fury 
Its mainly lights I'm bothered about.
Its got 1 white side/indicator light at the front.
It has one combined red brake/indicator at the back.
On each side obviously
It has a reversing light, but no numberplate light.
It has no conventional handbrake but has a transmission lock.
It has no windscreen washers.
Think thats all my concerns tbh.
Its mainly lights I'm bothered about.
Its got 1 white side/indicator light at the front.
It has one combined red brake/indicator at the back.
On each side obviously
It has a reversing light, but no numberplate light.
It has no conventional handbrake but has a transmission lock.
It has no windscreen washers.
Think thats all my concerns tbh.
1958 Plymouth Fury
Its mainly lights I'm bothered about.
Its got 1 white side/indicator light at the front. OK as I remember, rule changed in 63
It has one combined red brake/indicator at the back. Not sure thought this went out in early 50's
On each side obviously
It has a reversing light, but no numberplate light. Not sure, thought number plate light compulsory.
It has no conventional handbrake but has a transmission lock. Deffo not OK!
It has no windscreen washers. Again not OK unless no windscreen;-)
Think thats all my concerns tbh.
Its mainly lights I'm bothered about.
Its got 1 white side/indicator light at the front. OK as I remember, rule changed in 63
It has one combined red brake/indicator at the back. Not sure thought this went out in early 50's
On each side obviously
It has a reversing light, but no numberplate light. Not sure, thought number plate light compulsory.
It has no conventional handbrake but has a transmission lock. Deffo not OK!
It has no windscreen washers. Again not OK unless no windscreen;-)
Think thats all my concerns tbh.
cazzer said:
1958 Plymouth Fury
Its mainly lights I'm bothered about.
Its got 1 white side/indicator light at the front.
It has one combined red brake/indicator at the back.
On each side obviously
It has a reversing light, but no numberplate light.
It has no conventional handbrake but has a transmission lock.
It has no windscreen washers.
Think thats all my concerns tbh.
Its mainly lights I'm bothered about.
Its got 1 white side/indicator light at the front.
It has one combined red brake/indicator at the back.
On each side obviously
It has a reversing light, but no numberplate light.
It has no conventional handbrake but has a transmission lock.
It has no windscreen washers.
Think thats all my concerns tbh.
Ah, but that's different again cazzer because it's US, not just classic.
The white/front and red/rear side and tail lights are fine. The problem is that in this country all indicators are required to be yellow nowadays.
Having said that this wasn't always the case.
My 1956 Mk1 Jaguar had a relay system just like the American cars that utilised the side and tail lamps to make them flash as indicators: this was perfectly legal then and would have to be accepted as such by the MOT tester.
When you drove at night with the lights on, the system would simply switch them on and off when you threw the indicator switch.
I would simply point this out to the tester if you have a problem that way and describe the Jaguar system to them, which was wholly British.
I think you have to fit washers, and to be perfectly honest, I don't know how anyone can drive without them nowadays.
You could easily fit the same system that many older US cars have, and that by coincidence is fitted to my Sprinter van, and that is to bring the washer hoses up the wiper blades with nozzles on the blades itself: that way you don't have to drill or modify the body panels in any way and the car still retains its original appearance.
At that age the car should have an emergency parking brake operated by the foot via a pedal at the side of the main pedals with a release handle on or under the dash.
Again Mercedes adopted that system on all their models, and it was standard practice on US cars for years.
But if you find out that originally there was no secondary braking system, that should be acceptable to the tester, providing you can prove it was original.
Dwight VanDriver said:
That link takes you to the wrong section DVD old son.
What was it you were thinking about in regard to lighting regs?
MOT Tester's manual.
www.motuk.co.uk/manual/contents.htm
Indicators
d. that every direction indicator emits amber light, except vehicles first used before 1 September 1965 where both front indicators may be white and both rear indicators red
Stop Light's
2. Check that each stop lamp
a. operates when the service brake is applied
b. is complete, in good working order and in clean condition
c. emits a steady red light
So could fail if the Stop light goe's out when then the indicator is applied.
Washer's and wiper's
This inspection applies to
All vehicles, except those
. with an opening windscreen, or
. with some other means of providing the driver with an adequate view.
www.motuk.co.uk/manual/contents.htm
Indicators
d. that every direction indicator emits amber light, except vehicles first used before 1 September 1965 where both front indicators may be white and both rear indicators red
Stop Light's
2. Check that each stop lamp
a. operates when the service brake is applied
b. is complete, in good working order and in clean condition
c. emits a steady red light
So could fail if the Stop light goe's out when then the indicator is applied.
Washer's and wiper's
This inspection applies to
All vehicles, except those
. with an opening windscreen, or
. with some other means of providing the driver with an adequate view.
Edited by SprintV8 on Saturday 17th March 10:58
Edited by SprintV8 on Saturday 17th March 11:00
Fat Richie said:
jith said:
The problem is that in this country all indicators are required to be yellow nowadays.
Not so in this case - not new enough to legally require amber indicators; white front, red rear still perfectly legal for this age of car.
You're not paying attention that man!
Read my posts properly.
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