has the law on open wheeld cars on uk roads been ammended?
Discussion
as the title , does anyone know if the law on running open wheeled cars on Uk roads been chnaged in the last few years?
I was always under the impression that although you could get an Mot with an open wheeled car that it was still illegal to run it that way on uk roads and most people used to run small cycle guards.
I ask this as I was interested in a vehicle listed on ebay currently with no option for any wheel coverings of any sort yet the seller insists that it is fully road legal in its current format..in fact they got a little shirty and actually stated that the laws governing open wheeled vehicles had changed when I said it would pass an mot but still not be legal to run on uk roads.
I was always under the impression that although you could get an Mot with an open wheeled car that it was still illegal to run it that way on uk roads and most people used to run small cycle guards.
I ask this as I was interested in a vehicle listed on ebay currently with no option for any wheel coverings of any sort yet the seller insists that it is fully road legal in its current format..in fact they got a little shirty and actually stated that the laws governing open wheeled vehicles had changed when I said it would pass an mot but still not be legal to run on uk roads.
Edited by hedgefinder on Saturday 28th June 15:44
Don't know the situation with quads, but for cars, tricycles, motor bikes etc the law has not changed. Many people though do run hot rods and racers without guards and will pass a MOT that way too as it's not a testable item.
It is however a construction and use violation which one rarely sees enforced.
It is however a construction and use violation which one rarely sees enforced.
Slidingpillar said:
Don't know the situation with quads, but for cars, tricycles, motor bikes etc the law has not changed. Many people though do run hot rods and racers without guards and will pass a MOT that way too as it's not a testable item.
It is however a construction and use violation which one rarely sees enforced.
odd, it used to be fairly well enforced..... at least many people I used to know who used to run rods always got pulled up for it..It is however a construction and use violation which one rarely sees enforced.
Road Vehicles Construction and Use Regulations 1986 Reg 63 said:
every vehicle to which this regulation applies shall be equipped with wings or other similar fittings to catch, so far as practicable, mud or water thrown up by the rotation of its wheels or tracks.
Cat
For the most part, the condition and specification a car is allowed to be on the road in is governed by the rules in place when the car was first made - In 1927 here were no rules saying that wheels had to be covered, so the Delage is OK. A replica made in 2014 would have to have cycle wings or equivalent. If the rules weren't like that, any car made before 1991 would have to be retrofitted with a catalytic converter, and every car made before 1967 would have to have seat belts put in.
rsox87 said:
For the most part, the condition and specification a car is allowed to be on the road in is governed by the rules in place when the car was first made - In 1927 here were no rules saying that wheels had to be covered, so the Delage is OK. A replica made in 2014 would have to have cycle wings or equivalent. If the rules weren't like that, any car made before 1991 would have to be retrofitted with a catalytic converter, and every car made before 1967 would have to have seat belts put in.
I'd not rely on that. I'm pretty sure there is no break point in the 20s or early 30s and as I own a 1930 car, potentially would apply to mine. I've seen Bugatti 35Bs with guards in street trim too and I think mudguards came in before the first world war.As far as I know, the only retrospective construction and use is related to lighting, the rest does indeed apply only as cars were made. So my vintage car quite legally has no indicators, seat belts and doesn't even have to have brake lights although I've added them in self preservation.
The car in the advert though could be a bit dodgy as it's quite obviously a pastiche with much more modern features and if you built it these days - would risk having to get it through an IVA etc. Doesn't look like a 1959 car either, and probably should display a Q plate.
Tony V8 said:
Fantastic car, I don't think the law has changed, but as this is an original 1927 car it will be exempt due to its age.
Get it bought!!
Read the advert more carefully. It's registered as a 1959 car, built in the 80s and the one photo under the bonnet shows 80s or later bits and a fake exhaust.Get it bought!!
I would think that would be a very dodgy buy, replica of a 1927, car built in the eighties, 1959 registration number yet advert says registered 2012. Its true that a vehicle cant be tested to a standard that didnt exist when it was manufactured but that wouldnt have much relevance in this case. The only mot regulation applied retrospectively was in 1934 when it became law that every vehicle must be fitted with screenwashers unless the windscreen fully opened upwards or folded flat.
imagineifyeswill said:
I would think that would be a very dodgy buy, replica of a 1927, car built in the eighties, 1959 registration number yet advert says registered 2012. Its true that a vehicle cant be tested to a standard that didnt exist when it was manufactured but that wouldnt have much relevance in this case. The only mot regulation applied retrospectively was in 1934 when it became law that every vehicle must be fitted with screenwashers unless the windscreen fully opened upwards or folded flat.
The plate was probably bought to avoid it having an 80s plate (big problem if you are trying to make it appear old!) I doubt a 1927 car would have had that format (it would have been one or two letters), but it's close enough.
As others have said on this thread I would urge caution with regard to this car. The provenance appears variable at best. If it is a 1950's build then it is not exempt from the construction and use regs requiring compliance on road wheel coverage. Any later and it is still questionable. If the supposed earlier dare applies then the components used are clearly not original. All in all this looks like a good try on to me by the seller. Best avoided IMO or if the OP is determined then serious detailed work is needed to check in detail the provenance an actual construction timescales. The car seem to be trying to be made to seem something it is not. Pity because it is a stunning car. But I do not think it is actually sufficiently original to claim exemption on these matters.
anyone who knowsme will tell you that this car is just the sort of thing I have owned in the past ...ie...competely impractical
I was initially asking to see if they would mention that they actually had any form of wheel coverings to go with the car but the last response from the seller made me loose pretty much all interest in dealing with them....
"Sir,
Thank you for your thoughts. You may wish to check the amendments and repealed legislation to the road traffic act which made the requirement for enclosed wheels obsolete it also deleted various other items e.g. parking lights and twin reversing lights etc to bring us in line with european legislation.
For the avoidance of doubt the last owner who has had this vehicle for some considerable time returned it to the UK he had to meet with current legislation including an SVA test all of which she passes correctly.
We have for a very long time dealt in Historic motorcars so we are quite familiar the regulations.
If it is of concern to you you may wish to fit a set of mud guards and or find another vehicle.
Kindest Regards
MULLINER LTD
ROLLS ROYCE BENTLEY BUGATTI & FERRARI SPECIALISTS"
I was initially asking to see if they would mention that they actually had any form of wheel coverings to go with the car but the last response from the seller made me loose pretty much all interest in dealing with them....
"Sir,
Thank you for your thoughts. You may wish to check the amendments and repealed legislation to the road traffic act which made the requirement for enclosed wheels obsolete it also deleted various other items e.g. parking lights and twin reversing lights etc to bring us in line with european legislation.
For the avoidance of doubt the last owner who has had this vehicle for some considerable time returned it to the UK he had to meet with current legislation including an SVA test all of which she passes correctly.
We have for a very long time dealt in Historic motorcars so we are quite familiar the regulations.
If it is of concern to you you may wish to fit a set of mud guards and or find another vehicle.
Kindest Regards
MULLINER LTD
ROLLS ROYCE BENTLEY BUGATTI & FERRARI SPECIALISTS"
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