Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[MikeEdwards]

(I was sure there was a discussion on here about the proposal to extend MOT exemption, but I've searched for exemption and consultation, and can't find anything. Rick, if you can find it and want to merge the threads, feel free).

I had an email with the outcome of the recent consultation on extending the MOT exemption date. The summary of it is:

"The outcome from the ‘Roadworthiness testing for vehicles of historic interest’ consultation was released on 14 September 2017.

We have decided that most vehicles over 40 years old (on a rolling basis) will now be exempt from MOT testing.

Those that have been ‘substantially changed’ will still require yearly testing. We have prepared draft guidance as to what constitutes “substantial change” in the context of old vehicles. We plan to finalise the guidance during November 2017."

There's more here : https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/roadworthiness-testing-for-vehicles-of-historic-interest

including the full response document.

[Rootes75]

Reading through the document I note that the exemption will not change for Classic Commercial Vehicles. I am a little disappointed with this as my 1978 Karrier would have been exempt.

We have always had trouble testing her and we were recently advised that the testing station weren't comfortable testing her as the modern regulations do not apply!?!

I would have preferred a new test set up that would reflect the age a spec of the vehicle. I don't disagree with having her tested but the test has to be fair and appropriate.

Even small things on the lorry will fail the test now, one of the newer regulations regards the area cleared by windscreen wipers. The Bantam has factory fitted wipers/blades and the lorry has failed twice on them now. I have simply been advised that they aren't acceptable. Does that mean I have to modify the vehicle away from its original state to justify complying with a regulation that is designed for a lorry that is commercially active and on the road all the time?
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

[kevin2306]

I wonder if those of us with vehicles over 40 y/o will receive any notification. Dvla still show exemption for pre 1960 only.

Perhaps I'm reading this wrong?

Kev

[MikeEdwards]

Well, it doesn't come into effect until May 2018, and the DVLA web site only usually talks about what is in place "right now". So for example the VED exemption cut-off date wasn't updated to reflect the return to rolling/jumping until the day it came into effect. I would expect the web site to change on the day in May that it comes into being.

One thought, though. If vehicles that become 40 years old and are not substantially modified are to be MOT-exempt, I would imagine this means there will need to be another "flag" on the vehicle record to say so. Right now, VED exemption is reflected by the "historic" taxation class, but because not all historic vehicles will be MOT exempt, that flag cannot be used. So will we all need to send off our V5 to have it changed for this?

Another question that maybe someone on here can answer. If I have a car that's currently on SORN, that I've been restoring for some years, and I want to put it back on the road and no longer need an MOT, is it just a case of insuring it and rolling up to the Post Office to get it taxed?

[MikeEdwards]

[baconsdozen]

I was sent a copy of this https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/644412/government-response-to-exempting-vehicles-of-historical-interest-from-roadworthiness.pdf
It seems (Paragraph 32) to indicate this will take effct from May 2018.
I still see a can of worms,that will be opened when some rusty wreck that shouldn't have been on the road kills someone and the insurance companies back out of paying up.
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Thirty years selling imperial hand tools for old machinery(Now happily retired).

[alastairq]

[baconsdozen]

The problem I see is that some irresponsible people might be tempted to use vehicles that they know are unsafe. If that results in any serious accidents it will give the anti car/eco warrior lobbies ammunition to try and legislate older cars off the road.
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Thirty years selling imperial hand tools for old machinery(Now happily retired).

[MikeEdwards]

I think that's the main worry, is whether irresponsible people will suddenly start driving around in 40+ year old cars that shouldn't be on the road, just because they can.

My quick view is that I can't worry about what other people will do - according to the TV (and probably the Daily Mail too) there are already loads of half-wits driving around in modern cars that aren't taxed, insured or roadworthy, and I don't worry about them, so why should I worry about a handful more?

The plus side for me is that one or two niggling things that I always worry about such as emissions will cease to be an issue. I'll probably still pay someone a few quid to just check the car over as a second pair of eyes, for much the same reason that I pay someone to do the "service" on my modern car rather than doing it myself - and will continue to do so now I've found out what a pain it is to get the oil filter out.

[MikeEdwards]

On the subject of how the system will "know" whether the vehicle is MOT exempt, it seems on further reading that owners will be asked during the tax renewal whether they need one. In the spirit of allowing owners of modified cars to 'fess up as to how modified they are, and when they were modified, rather than requiring proof, it seems the question will be asked.

[D4B]

[Riley Blue]

[MikeEdwards]

Yes, and they do say on the opening page that the definitions for "substantially modified" are unlikely to be set down 100% in legislation, to allow them to be flexible and change as required. Which sort of makes me wonder why they bother having the requirement at all.

[alastairq]

I think the targets are those cars which, although old enough in terms of looks & identity....have been modified with modern running gear.
Zetec engines on a pallet are cheap-as-chips....and come with everything needed.
SO much cheaper to pop one of those into one's Escort, than it is to re-build a crossflow?

What about the cars sold as almost remanufactured vehicles, but with modern running gear? [The Sprites produced with modern Rover [or other?] engines & gearboxes...spring to mind?]

Will the new 'modified' rules also apply to existing pre-1960 cars?

{Using my Dellow as an example..pre-1960...still running Ford sidevalve-type running gear..yet many were modified..and still are, being modified, with modern engines, for more power...latest one I know of has a K series engine fitted. Power-to-weight ratio well up on the original circa 100 bhp per tonne. Still, at least the factory offered supercharging as an option....albeit, maybe not the same type as fitted to modern mercs and stuff? All of which have been tried & fitted to Dellows.]

Yes, I think the 'modified' part is the worm-can opener.

I also think, after next year, maybe the VOSA will become more pro-active in roadside testing of older cars?

[Penman]

Hi
I have just been completing a DVLA questionaire about tax/SORN renewal letters and noticed this part.


Just thought I would show it here as I hadn't heard about this V112/V112G form before.
Is this something new?
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Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10