Classic vehicles will be exempted from the MOT test
Discussion
Classic vehicles will be exempted from the MOT test, Roads Minister Mike Penning announced today.
Classic and historic vehicles are often very well maintained by their owners and have a much lower accident and MOT failure rate than newer vehicles.
The current requirement to undergo an MOT test goes over and above the obligations set out in European legislation. Following a public consultation which showed high levels of support for the proposals, vehicles manufactured before 1960 will be exempted from the MOT test from 18 November 2012, reducing costs for owners.
Owners of affected vehicles will still be able to take exempt vehicles for an MOT test on a voluntary basis.
Mike Penning said:
"We are committed to cutting out red tape which costs motorists money without providing significant overall benefits. Owners of classic cars and motorbikes tend to be enthusiasts who maintain their vehicles well - they don't need to be told to look after them, they're out there in all weathers checking the condition of the engine, tyres and bodywork.
“Owners of classic vehicles will still be legally required to ensure that they are safe and in a proper condition to be on the road but scrapping the MOT test for these vehicles will save motorists money.”
Classic and historic vehicles are often very well maintained by their owners and have a much lower accident and MOT failure rate than newer vehicles.
The current requirement to undergo an MOT test goes over and above the obligations set out in European legislation. Following a public consultation which showed high levels of support for the proposals, vehicles manufactured before 1960 will be exempted from the MOT test from 18 November 2012, reducing costs for owners.
Owners of affected vehicles will still be able to take exempt vehicles for an MOT test on a voluntary basis.
Mike Penning said:
"We are committed to cutting out red tape which costs motorists money without providing significant overall benefits. Owners of classic cars and motorbikes tend to be enthusiasts who maintain their vehicles well - they don't need to be told to look after them, they're out there in all weathers checking the condition of the engine, tyres and bodywork.
“Owners of classic vehicles will still be legally required to ensure that they are safe and in a proper condition to be on the road but scrapping the MOT test for these vehicles will save motorists money.”
Does that mean that instead of 1973 being the age cut off for classic cars ??????? THEN IT WILL BE 1960 the Authorities need to get it right and re introduce the rolling 30 years i have seen cars that are built before 1960 that should not be on the road and often wonder how they passed an mot,

I think this is more about the MOT rather than a desire to not test older cars..I think in a lot of cases the older cars are now causing MOT testers real problems in terms of the way they see themselves applying the letter of the test....And woe betide any tester who applies some common sense to a test...especially in this litiginous world we live in!!
N.
N.
In my opinion, a better way of looking at the MOT test and road fund licence is they give your old car the same rights as a new one. Start making yourself a special case and don't be surprised if you get treated so. No road fund licence? then why not limit use, after all you're not paying any rent. No MOT? limit the use, just to be on the safe side.
Have a read of the Turin Charter, that's what Europe wants to impose.
Have a read of the Turin Charter, that's what Europe wants to impose.
pridaux said:
Does that mean that instead of 1973 being the age cut off for classic cars ??????? THEN IT WILL BE 1960 the Authorities need to get it right and re introduce the rolling 30 years i have seen cars that are built before 1960 that should not be on the road and often wonder how they passed an mot,
It won't change for tax no, but it does seem pretty stupid to have two dates to do with classic cars, why they didn't just make it pre 1973 cars I don't know, would have made much more sense.
Gassing Station | TVR Classics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff