Historic vehicle MOT
Discussion
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/histori...
If that were true, and I’m 99% sure it isn’t, surely it would be in the official publication on the subject?
If that were true, and I’m 99% sure it isn’t, surely it would be in the official publication on the subject?
That is not true; you can MOT the car if you like, and if it fails, you DO need to make it right (obviously) but there's no requirement to then go back next year. Some like to do it as a "just in case" activity though.
Oddly, the information is quite grey on this stuff; I had to get one to register my car but people argue with me on that all the time (I asked the DVLA point blank and they told me "no MOT, no plate"... but you know, people like to argue).
Oddly, the information is quite grey on this stuff; I had to get one to register my car but people argue with me on that all the time (I asked the DVLA point blank and they told me "no MOT, no plate"... but you know, people like to argue).
SS2. said:
t.boydy said:
Interesting chat with our MOT man yesterday..... Apparently if you MOT a MOT exempt car you need to carry on every year with a test!
Ask him if he can advise which legislative provision cancels VHI status when an exempt vehicle is submitted for a voluntary test.willisit said:
I had to get one to register my car but people argue with me on that all the time (I asked the DVLA point blank and they told me "no MOT, no plate"... but you know, people like to argue).
Whereas I had to register a classic that hadn't ever been MoT'd and a V112 (Declaration of Exemption from MoT) was deemed sufficient by the DVLA to issue a plate.... I think it often depends on who you speak to on the day... The legislation is pretty clear though - if a car is over 40 years old, it's exempt from the requirement for an MoT.
If you put an exempt classic through a voluntary MoT test there is no ongoing requirement to then MoT it every year thereafter - it's still exempt, just the same way it was when you put it through a voluntary MoT.
willisit said:
That is not true; you can MOT the car if you like, and if it fails, you DO need to make it right (obviously) but there's no requirement to then go back next year. Some like to do it as a "just in case" activity though.
Oddly, the information is quite grey on this stuff; I had to get one to register my car but people argue with me on that all the time (I asked the DVLA point blank and they told me "no MOT, no plate"... but you know, people like to argue).
I've just bought a JDM vehicle and that had to have an MOT before it could be issued with a reg no. I suspect this is similar, to register the car it has to comply with things like a rear fog light which are not a legal requirement in Japan so needs an MOT.Oddly, the information is quite grey on this stuff; I had to get one to register my car but people argue with me on that all the time (I asked the DVLA point blank and they told me "no MOT, no plate"... but you know, people like to argue).
Once a car is registered and over 40 it can be reclassified as "Historic" rather than "PLC" (this doesn't happen automatically on its 40th birthday you have to fill in a V10 form and send it with your V5C to Swansea)
I believe you need an MoT for plate transfers (on / off) exempt cars, however.
Certainly my GT6 had an MoT when I bought it, which made the ongoing plate transfer very easy. Its test has just lapsed, so I believe I'll need to renew that if I wanted to sell it and retain the plate.
Happy to be proved wrong.
Certainly my GT6 had an MoT when I bought it, which made the ongoing plate transfer very easy. Its test has just lapsed, so I believe I'll need to renew that if I wanted to sell it and retain the plate.
Happy to be proved wrong.
Yes, correct. It's to stop people retaining a plate from a box of bits or just a chassis plate and V5c document for gain. Much like the earlier thread who was told no MoT, no plate. It's clear on the DVLA guidance, "If you have a historic (classic) vehicle you’ll also need a current MOT certificate, even if your vehicle is usually exempt from MOTs..." :
https://www.gov.uk/personalised-vehicle-registrati...
I especially like the line that it must move under its own power, no pushing round to the inspector.
Since it's mostly done online, the chances of an inspection are extremely low, there being no regional DVL offices any more, but the MoT requirement is a must. 
As for the OP, that's bunk. It's purely optional once its in the Historics category.
ETA: Some owners may not be aware though, I've seen cars over 40 yrs old at auction with a current MoT (which is nice, to show acceptable condition), but the vehicle is NOT in the Historic category, so they have presumably 'bought' VED, unaware it's £0 once changed!
https://www.gov.uk/personalised-vehicle-registrati...
I especially like the line that it must move under its own power, no pushing round to the inspector.
Since it's mostly done online, the chances of an inspection are extremely low, there being no regional DVL offices any more, but the MoT requirement is a must. As for the OP, that's bunk. It's purely optional once its in the Historics category.
ETA: Some owners may not be aware though, I've seen cars over 40 yrs old at auction with a current MoT (which is nice, to show acceptable condition), but the vehicle is NOT in the Historic category, so they have presumably 'bought' VED, unaware it's £0 once changed!
Edited by sixor8 on Tuesday 8th August 15:06
sixor8 said:
ETA: Some owners may not be aware though, I've seen cars over 40 yrs old at auction with a current MoT (which is nice, to show acceptable condition), but the vehicle is NOT in the Historic category, so they have presumably 'bought' VED, unaware it's £0 once changed!
Yes, I've seen that too. I've even seen cars advertised as "would be MoT / Tax Exempt, but I haven't bothered to fill the forms in", or words to that effect. Which is bizarre, as it's effectively free money, twice over. Not only do you not have to pay for the test / VED, but also it surely affects the car's value positively.There is that changeover period though that I'm unsure of. If you have a car registered (hypothetically) in mid 1983, it is now exempt from MoT testing. However, you can't apply to put it into category VHI until April 1st 2024, the year after it is 40. I believe this is because the rolling forward has to be authorized in the budget each Spring. I can see it halting soon, especially if more and more ULEZ is avoided by using old cars. I reckon 2041, 40 yrs after when emission data became compulsory.
I digress, my point is that if you got pulled for having an expired MoT, would the fact it is now exempt be accepted?
This is presuming of course, that the VED was bought in full up front and still valid. You couldn't renew it without a MoT and if you pay monthly, the d/d wouldn't be taken because of said expired MoT.
I digress, my point is that if you got pulled for having an expired MoT, would the fact it is now exempt be accepted?
This is presuming of course, that the VED was bought in full up front and still valid. You couldn't renew it without a MoT and if you pay monthly, the d/d wouldn't be taken because of said expired MoT.sixor8 said:
There is that changeover period though that I'm unsure of. If you have a car registered (hypothetically) in mid 1983, it is now exempt from MoT testing. However, you can't apply to put it into category VHI until April 1st 2024, the year after it is 40. I believe this is because the rolling forward has to be authorized in the budget each Spring. I can see it halting soon, especially if more and more ULEZ is avoided by using old cars. I reckon 2041, 40 yrs after when emission data became compulsory.
I think the rolling 40 will stop before that. I think it will be 10 years before that, and it will stop in 2031, as it was 1992 when cats became compulsory on petrol engine cars.
If Labour get in next year, or there's a Labour led coalition of some sort, it wouldn't surprise me if it gets stopped in their first post election budget.
Well yes, it was Ken Clarke (Conservative) who introduced it in about 1993 (ish?) at 25 years old (VED of £0 that is, the MoT exemption thing came in much more recently) and Gordon Brown froze it in 1998...
George Osbourne re-introduced it rolling forward every year, but at 40 yrs old in 2014, so aligning it so that the next cars to benefit would be 1973 registered.
Your point about cats is valid but that would make them cleaner to live with wouldn't it? Or is it that their introduction to metabolize Carbon Monoxide producing worse other outputs?
ETA: [pedant mode] Catalysts are not compulsory, but the emission limit is so low on cars from 1/1/93, that only a cat can get the emissions low enough[/pedant lmode] Certain low volume cars and imports to a later date are exempt and anecdotally, some have tuned their cars so lean, they could get under the limit, So I've read....
George Osbourne re-introduced it rolling forward every year, but at 40 yrs old in 2014, so aligning it so that the next cars to benefit would be 1973 registered.
Your point about cats is valid but that would make them cleaner to live with wouldn't it? Or is it that their introduction to metabolize Carbon Monoxide producing worse other outputs?
ETA: [pedant mode] Catalysts are not compulsory, but the emission limit is so low on cars from 1/1/93, that only a cat can get the emissions low enough[/pedant lmode] Certain low volume cars and imports to a later date are exempt and anecdotally, some have tuned their cars so lean, they could get under the limit, So I've read....
Edited by sixor8 on Tuesday 8th August 16:52
I have had a text message for the last 2 years stating my MOT is due at the end of Aug.
The car is 1981, registered as a vhi and tax is free.
I have been informed that as the engine is different to original and has been altered within the last 30 years it needs an MOT.
A substantial change means an MOT is necessary until that period has elapsed.
https://www.gov.uk/historic-vehicles#:~:text=Vehic...
The car is 1981, registered as a vhi and tax is free.
I have been informed that as the engine is different to original and has been altered within the last 30 years it needs an MOT.
A substantial change means an MOT is necessary until that period has elapsed.
https://www.gov.uk/historic-vehicles#:~:text=Vehic...
TRIUMPHBULLET said:
I have had a text message for the last 2 years stating my MOT is due at the end of Aug.
The car is 1981, registered as a vhi and tax is free.
I have been informed that as the engine is different to original and has been altered within the last 30 years it needs an MOT.
A substantial change means an MOT is necessary until that period has elapsed.
https://www.gov.uk/historic-vehicles#:~:text=Vehic...
It has to be quite a major change as stated in their own guidelines:The car is 1981, registered as a vhi and tax is free.
I have been informed that as the engine is different to original and has been altered within the last 30 years it needs an MOT.
A substantial change means an MOT is necessary until that period has elapsed.
https://www.gov.uk/historic-vehicles#:~:text=Vehic...
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/histori...
If you've gone from 4 cylinders to 6 or even a V8 then yes but not if it was available 'in period.' At least you still get the VED exemption which is the major advantage.
willisit said:
That is not true; you can MOT the car if you like, and if it fails, you DO need to make it right (obviously) but there's no requirement to then go back next year. Some like to do it as a "just in case" activity though.
Oddly, the information is quite grey on this stuff; I had to get one to register my car but people argue with me on that all the time (I asked the DVLA point blank and they told me "no MOT, no plate"... but you know, people like to argue).
And this highlights some of the DVLA inconsistencies. I've registered 2 vehicles >40yrs old without an MoT.Oddly, the information is quite grey on this stuff; I had to get one to register my car but people argue with me on that all the time (I asked the DVLA point blank and they told me "no MOT, no plate"... but you know, people like to argue).
sixor8 said:
TRIUMPHBULLET said:
I have had a text message for the last 2 years stating my MOT is due at the end of Aug.
The car is 1981, registered as a vhi and tax is free.
I have been informed that as the engine is different to original and has been altered within the last 30 years it needs an MOT.
A substantial change means an MOT is necessary until that period has elapsed.
https://www.gov.uk/historic-vehicles#:~:text=Vehic...
It has to be quite a major change as stated in their own guidelines:The car is 1981, registered as a vhi and tax is free.
I have been informed that as the engine is different to original and has been altered within the last 30 years it needs an MOT.
A substantial change means an MOT is necessary until that period has elapsed.
https://www.gov.uk/historic-vehicles#:~:text=Vehic...
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/histori...
If you've gone from 4 cylinders to 6 or even a V8 then yes but not if it was available 'in period.' At least you still get the VED exemption which is the major advantage.
I recently advised DVLA of an engine swap in my Land Rover, going from a 2.5, 4 cylinder diesel to a 3.5, V8 petrol.
As I wasn't sure what documentation was required (I needed receipt for the engine when I did the same with a motorbike), I called them up and was told that as it's 'historic' I didn't need any evidence, simply to fill in the V5 with the new capacity, fuel type and engine no. There is no section to enter number of cylinders etc. and the DVLA chap didn't ask.
I sent off the V5 duly filled in and it came back in a week or so with the new details.
Edited by catso on Thursday 10th August 16:22
They wouldn't, DVLA are concerned with legal registration and VED. It's a different department (DVSA?) that concerns itself with MOTs.
Every year that VED is obtained (still £0 at the moment), you have to make a declaration that the vehicle is still exempt a MoT, i.e. Declare that is not 'substantially changed.'
Nobody is likely to ever check and as long as you inform the insurers of the correct engine size in case of an accident, all is probably OK. If anyone should ever check for modifications however (?) although nobody has mentioned it being an issue.
Every year that VED is obtained (still £0 at the moment), you have to make a declaration that the vehicle is still exempt a MoT, i.e. Declare that is not 'substantially changed.'
Nobody is likely to ever check and as long as you inform the insurers of the correct engine size in case of an accident, all is probably OK. If anyone should ever check for modifications however (?)
although nobody has mentioned it being an issue.Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff