Is my 1981 vehicle MOT/Tax exempt?
Discussion
Tried to work this out myself by reading the section on the .gov site but its confusing as it looks like the rule for tax is different from the rule for MOT.
So my car was first registered in March 22 1981. The current MOT expires end of May. Do I need to get it MOTd again now its 40 years old?
The rules on tax/VED say that a vehicle needs to have a production date that is over 40 years on the 1st of January to be tax exempt.
So does it go by production date or first registered date? I often think the government purposely makes these things confusing to trick you into getting a fine.
So my car was first registered in March 22 1981. The current MOT expires end of May. Do I need to get it MOTd again now its 40 years old?
The rules on tax/VED say that a vehicle needs to have a production date that is over 40 years on the 1st of January to be tax exempt.
So does it go by production date or first registered date? I often think the government purposely makes these things confusing to trick you into getting a fine.
I thought I might be in the ball park for this, this year. My Scirocco is now 40 years old. I got my brother on board for help (he’s an experienced sub- postmaster running a few offices. He comes across this often.
He put the details in the system and the computer said no.
My car was first registered on 12/Jan/1981, so missed the date by 12 days. I’m going to try again next year.
He put the details in the system and the computer said no.
My car was first registered on 12/Jan/1981, so missed the date by 12 days. I’m going to try again next year.
I honestly couldn’t be bothered with that whole faff of proving when my vehicle was manufactured with the DVLA but I might have to next year! I have no doubt at all my vehicle was produced in 1980.
As it happens I only run my car for about 4 months of each year at £23.00 P/M DD, and I had a free MOT C/O Halfords which it passed with flying colours. Sobering to realise I’d only covered 587 miles in it in the last TWO years!
I’ll see what happens next year.
As it happens I only run my car for about 4 months of each year at £23.00 P/M DD, and I had a free MOT C/O Halfords which it passed with flying colours. Sobering to realise I’d only covered 587 miles in it in the last TWO years!
I’ll see what happens next year.
Mot, if built or regd >40 years ago, exempt from MOT providing you meet the 'no modifications' etc. caveats, as set out on gov uk website.
You'll just need to 'declare' exempt when taxing etc..
Re tax, easiest thing is probably to wait until next year due to regn date. As always, it could be much simpler if they just set the rule simply, ie >40 years exempt. Of course, they need to make it more complicated
You'll just need to 'declare' exempt when taxing etc..
Re tax, easiest thing is probably to wait until next year due to regn date. As always, it could be much simpler if they just set the rule simply, ie >40 years exempt. Of course, they need to make it more complicated
The worrying thing with no MOT is that there will be some death traps classic cars being driven on the road.
It’s not right to think and assume all classic car owners keep their cars in tip too condition there will be plenty who are inept/or running it as a scrapper etc.
I cannot see any reason why an older car which is to carry on using the public highway cannot pass a very basic safety check?
It’s not right to think and assume all classic car owners keep their cars in tip too condition there will be plenty who are inept/or running it as a scrapper etc.
I cannot see any reason why an older car which is to carry on using the public highway cannot pass a very basic safety check?
RLW7W said:
It goes by production date. If you can prove that it was made in 1980, then you can send off to DVLA to get your tax status changed to "historic". I needed a Heritage Certificate for my MGB.
Yes, I thought I'd get it next year for the Porsche, as it's an early 1982 car, so I asked Porsche and they gave me a build date - unfortunately, although registered on the 23rd of January, the build date was only the 13th. Bloody Germany efficiency!Welshbeef said:
The worrying thing with no MOT is that there will be some death traps classic cars being driven on the road.
It’s not right to think and assume all classic car owners keep their cars in tip too condition there will be plenty who are inept/or running it as a scrapper etc.
I cannot see any reason why an older car which is to carry on using the public highway cannot pass a very basic safety check?
Unfortunately this also applies to Modern cars, a lot of owners have zero interest in cars and don't service or maintain their vehicles relying on the MOT to identify anything they must have repaired, they then only have this work done, an MOT is only a check of Minimum standards at the time of test, you could have a bulb go the next day and not repair it (or notice it) for months.It’s not right to think and assume all classic car owners keep their cars in tip too condition there will be plenty who are inept/or running it as a scrapper etc.
I cannot see any reason why an older car which is to carry on using the public highway cannot pass a very basic safety check?
A modern will normally cover many more miles in a year too, anyone driving anything is responsible for it's condition and legality if they using it on the road, this hasn't changed.
Welshbeef said:
The worrying thing with no MOT is that there will be some death traps classic cars being driven on the road.
It’s not right to think and assume all classic car owners keep their cars in tip too condition there will be plenty who are inept/or running it as a scrapper etc.
I cannot see any reason why an older car which is to carry on using the public highway cannot pass a very basic safety check?
Running a classic of any age isn't really something that anyone does because it's economical and means you can get away without maintaining it. Its the complete opposite from my experience.It’s not right to think and assume all classic car owners keep their cars in tip too condition there will be plenty who are inept/or running it as a scrapper etc.
I cannot see any reason why an older car which is to carry on using the public highway cannot pass a very basic safety check?
Welshbeef said:
The worrying thing with no MOT is that there will be some death traps classic cars being driven on the road.
It’s not right to think and assume all classic car owners keep their cars in tip too condition there will be plenty who are inept/or running it as a scrapper etc.
I cannot see any reason why an older car which is to carry on using the public highway cannot pass a very basic safety check?
I’m not so sure I buy into this theory? Any car that has survived 40 years has surely been maintained and looked after to a very high standard by its owner (s).It’s not right to think and assume all classic car owners keep their cars in tip too condition there will be plenty who are inept/or running it as a scrapper etc.
I cannot see any reason why an older car which is to carry on using the public highway cannot pass a very basic safety check?
And who in their right mind would purchase a classic vehicle for a monetary advantage of saving on a bit of road tax or MOT?
Especially when modern cars are much cheaper on road excise due to their efficiency? Also a lot of the population now run cars on PCP, so when a 3 years is up, move on and avoid MOT.
And anyone thinking they could ever run a 40 year old classic as a daily runner to save a few quid in road tax would be bonkers!
My classic is maintained fastidiously, and has had no advisories in the last 9 years. I wish I could say the same for my daily runner!
It's a daft statement by the OP that this is done 'deliberately.' The rolling forward of tax exemption each year has to be approved by the treasury which is why it has to be OVER 40 years old and like a racehorse, birthdays are all set on 1st Jan.
The MoT exemption was first created for pre 1960 cars in 2012 but it was only extended to align with VED 'historic class' at 40 years old in 2017. When the MoT exemption applies for a specific car will of course differ depending on when in the year the car was first registered and /or the present certificate expires.
I run an old car for short journeys and it's not just because it's £0 VED and cheap insurance, there isn't any of the big depreciation. A friend of mine is spunking about £80 a week away in depreciation on a 435d, but hey its fast and good on fuel.......
I too have been waiting for the crash in a death trap old car (you can buy them like this you know, not many are kept all that long) but it hasn't happened, or hasn't been reported yet. I have seen quite a few old (40 years old+ ) cars now coming through the classic auctions that would previously been unsaleable without a MoT. Not many are in any fit state to go straight on the road! Any decent seller would put it through a Mot test to show it is roadworthy.
The MoT exemption was first created for pre 1960 cars in 2012 but it was only extended to align with VED 'historic class' at 40 years old in 2017. When the MoT exemption applies for a specific car will of course differ depending on when in the year the car was first registered and /or the present certificate expires.
I run an old car for short journeys and it's not just because it's £0 VED and cheap insurance, there isn't any of the big depreciation. A friend of mine is spunking about £80 a week away in depreciation on a 435d, but hey its fast and good on fuel.......
I too have been waiting for the crash in a death trap old car (you can buy them like this you know, not many are kept all that long) but it hasn't happened, or hasn't been reported yet. I have seen quite a few old (40 years old+ ) cars now coming through the classic auctions that would previously been unsaleable without a MoT. Not many are in any fit state to go straight on the road! Any decent seller would put it through a Mot test to show it is roadworthy.
Edited by sixor8 on Thursday 6th May 14:42
sixor8 said:
It's a daft statement by the OP that this is done 'deliberately.' The rolling forward of tax exemption each year has to be approved by the treasury which is why it has to be OVER 40 years old and like a racehorse, birthdays are all set on 1st Jan.
The MoT exemption was first created for pre 1960 cars in 2012 but it was only extended to align with VED 'historic class' at 40 years old in 2017. When the MoT exemption applies for a specific car will of course differ depending on when in the year the car was first registered and /or the present certificate expires.
I run an old car for short journeys and it's not just because it's £0 VED and cheap insurance, there isn't any of the big depreciation. A friend of mine is spunking about £80 a week away in depreciation on a 435d, but hey its fast and good on fuel.......
I too have been waiting for the crash in a death trap old car (you can buy them like this you know, not many are kept all that long) but it hasn't happened, or hasn't been reported yet. I have seen quite a few old (40 years old+ ) cars now coming through the classic auctions that would previously been unsaleable without a MoT. Not many are in any fit state to go straight on the road! Any decent seller would put it through a Mot test to show it is roadworthy.
Talking of daft. I don't think you've understood my statement. I have no issue with 40 years or the rolling date. What I have issue with is the difference in criteria between VED and MOT.The MoT exemption was first created for pre 1960 cars in 2012 but it was only extended to align with VED 'historic class' at 40 years old in 2017. When the MoT exemption applies for a specific car will of course differ depending on when in the year the car was first registered and /or the present certificate expires.
I run an old car for short journeys and it's not just because it's £0 VED and cheap insurance, there isn't any of the big depreciation. A friend of mine is spunking about £80 a week away in depreciation on a 435d, but hey its fast and good on fuel.......
I too have been waiting for the crash in a death trap old car (you can buy them like this you know, not many are kept all that long) but it hasn't happened, or hasn't been reported yet. I have seen quite a few old (40 years old+ ) cars now coming through the classic auctions that would previously been unsaleable without a MoT. Not many are in any fit state to go straight on the road! Any decent seller would put it through a Mot test to show it is roadworthy.
Edited by sixor8 on Thursday 6th May 14:42
VED exemption criteria clearly states that it's 40 years from first registration. A date that is easily identified on the V5. So pretty easy to qualify
MOT exemption criteria is 40 years from manufacture date. So who do I give my VIN to to prove this?
As it stands it looks like my vehicle was built at the end of 1980 (so should be MOT exempt). But it wasn't sold and first registered by a dealer in the UK until March 1981. Which means it probably needs to be taxed but not MOTd providing I can prove it was made in 1980. There doesn't seem to be a simple way to do this via say any online government portal.
Just because it's exempt doesn't mean you don't have to get it checked out.
I have my 1966 VW Beetle (55 years old) checked annually, in the form of a MOT style inspection, just not official as it doesn't need to be.
So I disagree, with the sweeping statement of classic car owners not caring for their cars now they are exempt etc.
Should see the amount of neglected modern cars I've seen rolling up to garages for their MOT, would shock alot of people to think these cars are sharing the same roads we drive on...most of the driving population have no clue when it comes to vehicle maintenance and are blissfully ignorant until they cause an incident.
I have my 1966 VW Beetle (55 years old) checked annually, in the form of a MOT style inspection, just not official as it doesn't need to be.
So I disagree, with the sweeping statement of classic car owners not caring for their cars now they are exempt etc.
Should see the amount of neglected modern cars I've seen rolling up to garages for their MOT, would shock alot of people to think these cars are sharing the same roads we drive on...most of the driving population have no clue when it comes to vehicle maintenance and are blissfully ignorant until they cause an incident.
Edited by DailyHack on Thursday 6th May 16:48
nunpuncher said:
VED exemption criteria clearly states that it's 40 years from first registration. A date that is easily identified on the V5. So pretty easy to qualify
MOT exemption criteria is 40 years from manufacture date. So who do I give my VIN to to prove this?
Other way around, surely? VED exemption is based on date of manufacture - from the DVLA web site: "Vehicles made before 1 January 1981 are exempt." - note, "made".MOT exemption criteria is 40 years from manufacture date. So who do I give my VIN to to prove this?
It shouldn't really be thought of as "rolling" VED exemption as it jumps forward once a year. So it's not 40 years either from first registration or date of manufacturer - it's vehicles made up to a particular date that become eligible on April 1st each year.
Welshbeef said:
The worrying thing with no MOT is that there will be some death traps classic cars being driven on the road.
It’s not right to think and assume all classic car owners keep their cars in tip too condition there will be plenty who are inept/or running it as a scrapper etc.
I cannot see any reason why an older car which is to carry on using the public highway cannot pass a very basic safety check?
It’s not right to think and assume all classic car owners keep their cars in tip too condition there will be plenty who are inept/or running it as a scrapper etc.
I cannot see any reason why an older car which is to carry on using the public highway cannot pass a very basic safety check?
I agree totally. Who implemented the idea to do away with MOT’s for cars over 40 years old. It just doesn’t make sense.
Rob 131 Sport said:
Welshbeef said:
The worrying thing with no MOT is that there will be some death traps classic cars being driven on the road.
It’s not right to think and assume all classic car owners keep their cars in tip too condition there will be plenty who are inept/or running it as a scrapper etc.
I cannot see any reason why an older car which is to carry on using the public highway cannot pass a very basic safety check?
It’s not right to think and assume all classic car owners keep their cars in tip too condition there will be plenty who are inept/or running it as a scrapper etc.
I cannot see any reason why an older car which is to carry on using the public highway cannot pass a very basic safety check?
I agree totally. Who implemented the idea to do away with MOT’s for cars over 40 years old. It just doesn’t make sense.
Historic Classic just would not be able to pass the test. What then? Tell the owner it’s now scrap? Who’s going to take that decision considering what a lot of these vehicles will be valued?
Also, it’s a consideration on the mileage that these cars actually do? As I said in a previous post - I’ve done less than 600 miles in mine in two years.
I do also think consideration was applied that ownership tends to fall into a category of enthusiasts who fully understand and look after their vehicle.
But I will be taking my car for a test examination every 12 months - as a second pair of eyes. Who wants to arse around under a car when someone with a four poster can do it in half the time?
The last time i took my 1960 car for an MOT the tester, who was probably around about 1/3 of the age of the car and struggled to know what to do with it. No seat belts, hazard lights, indicator repeaters, emissions test. Where is the handbrake ...doesn't it have one? - ah yes, it has one, that handle under the dash..... It doesn't have a fuel filler...
err yes it does....look in the boot. When we finsished the test he had to take a tea break before logging it in the system because an MOT is supposed to take a certain minimum time, and this one was too quick. There is a compatibility problem between much of the modern MOT and older cars, and the testers, many of whom are too young to know what a choke is.
So I'm not sure of the value of a conventional MOT on older cars. having a second pair of knowledgeble eyes check them over and stick them on a brake tester seems like a good idea though.
err yes it does....look in the boot. When we finsished the test he had to take a tea break before logging it in the system because an MOT is supposed to take a certain minimum time, and this one was too quick. There is a compatibility problem between much of the modern MOT and older cars, and the testers, many of whom are too young to know what a choke is.
So I'm not sure of the value of a conventional MOT on older cars. having a second pair of knowledgeble eyes check them over and stick them on a brake tester seems like a good idea though.
There was a very long consultation period a few years ago, and a certain amount of attempted synchronisation with the EU. As long ago as 2011 when the pre-1960 exemption was decided:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/histor...
In many European countries, first MoT (or equivalent) is at 4 years and then only every 2 years, but annually from 10. It was decided NOT to adopt this in the UK.
Another proposal was that MoT exemption would be at 30 years old but 40 was adopted. It was a measured decision not the whim of 1 person.
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/histor...
In many European countries, first MoT (or equivalent) is at 4 years and then only every 2 years, but annually from 10. It was decided NOT to adopt this in the UK.
Another proposal was that MoT exemption would be at 30 years old but 40 was adopted. It was a measured decision not the whim of 1 person.
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