MOT exemption for classics ?

[J4CKO]

Not seen this discussed in GG but interested in the opinions now that cars over 40 years old wont require and MOT from May next year.

https://www.adrianflux.co.uk/blog/2017/09/cars-bec...

I think this is a daft idea, there are some minor pros,

Classics do less mileage
Classic owners are usually (stress usually) more vigilant and capable than the average motorist.

Cons

The oldest cars on the roads will have no basic roadworthiness check
Owners can ignore problems
Owners might not spot problems
Owners might be inclined to not spend money
Even diligent owners arent as knowledgable as MOT tester who are trained and do it all day, every day.
Buying a classic will become more risky as technically you could have a car resurrected recently that hasn't had an MOT since the seventies.

I cant see why this went through ?

It isnt a massive imposition spending £40 and taking your car in once a year. FIre up that "Barn Find" shed and feel free to drive it on the road, technically it has to be roadworthy from a legality point of view but the check would most likely only be once a problem has occurred, like that rust near a seatbelt mount or spring hanger....

[V8RX7]

J4CKO said:

Even diligent owners arent as knowledgable as MOT tester who are trained and do it all day, every day.

My Dad is a Classic Car Dealer and the reason they have been dropped is because your above statement is completely wrong - the vast majority of MOT testers haven't got a clue about Classics and were either passing things that should have failed or failing things that should have passed.

This became a hassle so they have now dropped them from the test.

I think it's a mistake as there are a many classic car owners who don't look after their cars or work on the basis that "it'll be alright" as they don't go far, they should either train Testers properly or have Specialist Testers for classics.

[Efbe]

As a classic car owner, I think this is a massively st idea.

It just gives the green light for not even all that old cars to be on the road in the worst condition ever. It will skyrocket classic car insurance in a bit too.

It took me a year to prep my mustang for an MOT, in the process really thoroughly overhauling lots of things, I might not have bothered with if I really didn't have to.

[rxe]

I think as soon as people talk about classics, we get some impression of crusty blokes tootling along in MGBs.

In a few years time, my main tow vehicle will be 40. Its a 4.6 litre Land Rover Defender, regularly belting across the country with a tractor or similar on an 18 foot twin axle trailer. I'm slightly surprised that anyone would think this did not need an MOT.

[texaxile]

Same here, my Lancer Turbo is 37 years old, 170+bhp plus RWD in 1070kg weight needs some kind of suspension and brake checking, not to mention corrosion associated with classic Japs of that era.

I've already spoken to my MOT bloke and he agreed that he will carry out a 30 point check on the vehicle when it is no longer needing an MOT for the cost of 1 hours labour and will provide a full report of anything needing attention. Might be more expensive than the current MOT cost but I'll have something to show potential buyers and peace of mind for myself.

some might say 1 hour is excessive when an MOT is only 45 mins, but if you take your car seriously then an extra 15 mins to go through everything isn't too much on an old car.

The problem is that there will be a few people who abuse the situation for their own benefit when selling a car.

Edited by texaxile on Sunday 1st October 22:22

[Dixy]

this in GG
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...

or this in clasics
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[matthias73]

Where I lived in Canada there wasn't any MOTs.

Good job too because there's no way in hell my e34 would have passed it!

[J4CKO]

V8RX7 said:

J4CKO said:

Even diligent owners arent as knowledgable as MOT tester who are trained and do it all day, every day.

My Dad is a Classic Car Dealer and the reason they have been dropped is because your above statement is completely wrong - the vast majority of MOT testers haven't got a clue about Classics and were either passing things that should have failed or failing things that should have passed.

This became a hassle so they have now dropped them from the test.

I think it's a mistake as there are a many classic car owners who don't look after their cars or work on the basis that "it'll be alright" as they don't go far, they should either train Testers properly or have Specialist Testers for classics.

Have been on the end of this and agree to a certain extent, things like testing a sixties cars wheel bearing play like it was a new car, the taper bearings on our Fiat 500 were fine but were failed by the over zealous knob round the corner, took it to another one after my explanation fell on deaf ears, he also failed it on welding that had been done and passed 5 MOT's, it was like he was deliberately pulling the car to bits, took it to another one who explained about the wheel bearings and why they have a small amount of play !

However, on balance, I think it is better to have a check once a year.

[diddles]

What are the implications with transferring number plates from old cars with no MOT's? Assuming you have the reg documents for the car I wonder whether this will now be achievable?

[J4CKO]

diddles said:

What are the implications with transferring number plates from old cars with no MOT's? Assuming you have the reg documents for the car I wonder whether this will now be achievable?

Cant see that making a difference now, as long as you have the V5, am guessing they must have removed the MOT stipulation ?

[Gareth79]

J4CKO said:

diddles said:

What are the implications with transferring number plates from old cars with no MOT's? Assuming you have the reg documents for the car I wonder whether this will now be achievable?

Cant see that making a difference now, as long as you have the V5, am guessing they must have removed the MOT stipulation ?

The problem is lots of people have V5s for vehicles which have been scrapped a long time ago. I'm not sure if this is to deter plate sellers magicing up new plates to sell or if it's for some ringing/crime prevention strategy too. edit: Actually I assume it's so that people don't just apply for a V5 of an old vehicle they know might not be recorded as scrap, to get the plate.

Regardless, I imagine you'd just need to take the vehicle for an MOT, even though it's not legally required.

Edited by Gareth79 on Sunday 1st October 23:08

[paintman]

diddles said:

What are the implications with transferring number plates from old cars with no MOT's? Assuming you have the reg documents for the car I wonder whether this will now be achievable?

Already being done with Land Rovers to avoid tax. Cropped up regularly on LR websites.
Some of which are quite obviously post tax exemption date but are supposedly made well before it.
I sometimes wondered exactly which bits - apart from the vin plates - were part of an original vehicle.
Some were reported to DVLA but they couldn't care less so I expect this will be the same.

Edited by paintman on Sunday 1st October 23:10

[jeremyh1]

The examples given on this thread are the exception to the rule and not the norm

I cant think of any classic car owner with a vehicle over that age that would not keep it in a safe condition

The type of people that do not care about safety and vehicle structure do not drive vehicles over 40 years old !

[skyrover]

rxe said:

In a few years time, my main tow vehicle will be 40. Its a 4.6 litre Land Rover Defender, regularly belting across the country with a tractor or similar on an 18 foot twin axle trailer. I'm slightly surprised that anyone would think this did not need an MOT.

The oldest "Defenders" date from 1983, which is still a good 6 years away from MOT exemption.

They are also fitted with anemic engines and 4 speed gearboxes... So will have needed a new drivetrain and probably new chassis by now.

[SuperPav]

Does anybody actually know whether an MOT would still be required to register a car with DVLA (a pre 1978 car?)

[hutchst]

Mayor Khan will make sure your cars are undriveable on the roads well before they reach 40.

[iphonedyou]

hutchst said:

Mayor Khan will make sure your cars are undriveable on the roads well before they reach 40.

Outside London? Tell us more.

[Mr2Mike]

hutchst said:

Mayor Khan will make sure your cars are undriveable on the roads well before they reach 40.

Another reason to avoid living in the Khan controlled district, if one were needed.

[austinsmirk]

Can you imagine all the knackered VW splits and bay windows (especially with the rat look/stanced et al)

rattling down the motorway, with chunks of rust falling off ?

20 odd years ago when I was involved in the garage trade with them then, most were basket cases then.


I think the retired 70 year old, polishing a Mk 2 Jag, possibly has a car in good fettle.

A 20-40 year old, with "lays" hanging from their "dub", livin' the dreem at busfest, alas not.

[NDA]

Isn't there the hidden risk of Q plates lurking within this change of rules?

You have to declare annually that the car is 'original', not altered from how it left the factory. If it's not original a Q plate will be applied - and it's value will be decreased I would think.