Historic Vehicle MOT exemption
Discussion
I know that vehicles over 40 years old are exempt from the MOT.
I'm also aware that vehicles that are substantially modified may not qualify for this exemption.
In effect there will be a number of 40+ year old vehicles that DO need an MOT.
Is there anywhere that I can check whether a vehicle is MOT exempt simply by entering the registration number ?
I'm also aware that vehicles that are substantially modified may not qualify for this exemption.
In effect there will be a number of 40+ year old vehicles that DO need an MOT.
Is there anywhere that I can check whether a vehicle is MOT exempt simply by entering the registration number ?
The DVLA site doesn't show whether a specific car is MOT exempt or not.
Modified cars over 40 years old aren't necessarily MOT exempt, depending on the extent of modification and/or the owners disclosure of same to the DVLA.
There doesn't appear to be a means of checking individual cars.
Modified cars over 40 years old aren't necessarily MOT exempt, depending on the extent of modification and/or the owners disclosure of same to the DVLA.
There doesn't appear to be a means of checking individual cars.
Your 40+ year old Historic must have had no "significant chnages" in the last 30 years.
What's a "significant change"? See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/histori...
In any doubt? The Gov suggest you speak to the FBHVC: https://www.fbhvc.co.uk/
JOhn
What's a "significant change"? See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/histori...
In any doubt? The Gov suggest you speak to the FBHVC: https://www.fbhvc.co.uk/
JOhn
BertBert said:
Aren't they essentially self declared?
Yes. When renewing my VED, the screen says asks me whether it's been significantly modified since whenever the cut-off was, I click "no" (which happens to be true for mine) and all is good. On the check-mot web site, it never says "this vehicle is exempt", it just says "MOT expired" in a massive red banner and then "this vehicle may be MOT exempt" - there doesn't seem to be any connection between me declaring it unmodified, and the display. In my experience, cars that have been switched to the historic class have 'No results returned' under the MoT status. My last 1975 Triumph Toledo was like this (sold in 2023).
If you have voluntarily had one carried out either for peace or mind, or because it is for sale (several exempt ones at the last ACA classic auction had current MoT to indicate their condition.
), it will show this. Not sure what happens if a voluntary one has expired though. 
If you have voluntarily had one carried out either for peace or mind, or because it is for sale (several exempt ones at the last ACA classic auction had current MoT to indicate their condition.
), it will show this. Not sure what happens if a voluntary one has expired though. tapkaJohnD said:
Your 40+ year old Historic must have had no "significant chnages" in the last 30 years.
What's a "significant change"? See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/histori...
In any doubt? The Gov suggest you speak to the FBHVC: https://www.fbhvc.co.uk/
JOhn
I would strongly suggest that you visit the link above to check that your modifications are within the rules and if they are save or print it - the DVLA do not know their own rules and if a decision goes against you it will be difficult to get it reversed.What's a "significant change"? See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/histori...
In any doubt? The Gov suggest you speak to the FBHVC: https://www.fbhvc.co.uk/
JOhn
droopsnoot said:
Yes. When renewing my VED, the screen says asks me whether it's been significantly modified since whenever the cut-off was, I click "no" (which happens to be true for mine) and all is good. On the check-mot web site, it never says "this vehicle is exempt", it just says "MOT expired" in a massive red banner and then "this vehicle may be MOT exempt" - there doesn't seem to be any connection between me declaring it unmodified, and the display.
I've just taxed my historic vehicle online this evening. It hasn't been MOT'd for years and there was no screen asking me if it was modified.The MOT status box is green and says "No results Returned".
If I go to the "Check the MOT History" link on the same DVLA website it says "This vehicles MOT has Expired" in a red status box
As far as I can recall I've never been asked whether the vehicle has been substantially modified and I've owned it for fifteen plus years.
I have just retaxed mine online and I have been asked to tick a box as to whether it is substantially modified within the last 30 years, just as have had to do for the last few years since it became exempt.
The online form is clear, it gives you a link to the definition also as to what quantifies this.
The online form is clear, it gives you a link to the definition also as to what quantifies this.
GoodOlBoy said:
I know that vehicles over 40 years old are exempt from the MOT.
I'm also aware that vehicles that are substantially modified may not qualify for this exemption.
In effect there will be a number of 40+ year old vehicles that DO need an MOT.
Is there anywhere that I can check whether a vehicle is MOT exempt simply by entering the registration number ?
To answer your question directly, this is for you to determine, read the definition from VOSA, make a judgement and when you are ready to declare it, you can do so on the tax form.I'm also aware that vehicles that are substantially modified may not qualify for this exemption.
In effect there will be a number of 40+ year old vehicles that DO need an MOT.
Is there anywhere that I can check whether a vehicle is MOT exempt simply by entering the registration number ?
Thebaggers said:
I have just retaxed mine online and I have been asked to tick a box as to whether it is substantially modified within the last 30 years, just as have had to do for the last few years since it became exempt.
The online form is clear, it gives you a link to the definition also as to what quantifies this.
I don't understand this at all. The online form is clear, it gives you a link to the definition also as to what quantifies this.
I taxed mine online this evening and there was no box to tick.
Is it pre 1960? They were granted MoT exemption in 2012, it became a 40 year old rolling threshold in 2018.
If so, an that is the reason, modifying a pre-1960 car may be a GO.
Many 'classic' cars converted to EV still have their status recorded as having an engine. Naughty, probably done to avoid the need for MoT tests, and probably makes the insurance invalid.
ETA: VED £0 at 40 years old started in 2014. It had been frozen at pre 1973 since 1998.
If so, an that is the reason, modifying a pre-1960 car may be a GO.
Many 'classic' cars converted to EV still have their status recorded as having an engine. Naughty, probably done to avoid the need for MoT tests, and probably makes the insurance invalid.
ETA: VED £0 at 40 years old started in 2014. It had been frozen at pre 1973 since 1998.
Edited by sixor8 on Sunday 14th April 09:50
Thebaggers said:
GoodOlBoy said:
I know that vehicles over 40 years old are exempt from the MOT.
I'm also aware that vehicles that are substantially modified may not qualify for this exemption.
In effect there will be a number of 40+ year old vehicles that DO need an MOT.
Is there anywhere that I can check whether a vehicle is MOT exempt simply by entering the registration number ?
To answer your question directly, this is for you to determine, read the definition from VOSA, make a judgement and when you are ready to declare it, you can do so on the tax form.I'm also aware that vehicles that are substantially modified may not qualify for this exemption.
In effect there will be a number of 40+ year old vehicles that DO need an MOT.
Is there anywhere that I can check whether a vehicle is MOT exempt simply by entering the registration number ?
Bear in mind that VED is the remit of DVLA but MoTs are DVSA. I had issues a few years ago with data not transferring when I changed a registration number, they pointed fingers at each other for a while. They are separate databases although the expiry date data is transferred to the DVLA enquire page ( and car check type sites etc.).
sixor8 said:
Bear in mind that VED is the remit of DVLA but MoTs are DVSA. I had issues a few years ago with data not transferring when I changed a registration number, they pointed fingers at each other for a while. They are separate databases although the expiry date data is transferred to the DVLA enquire page ( and car check type sites etc.).
That would explain why the MOT status of exempt cars appears differently on the same DVLA website. My own MOT exempt car says "No results returned" in a green box on the main DVLA page and "This vehicles MOT has expired - you can be fined up to £1000 etc...." in a red box on the MOT History page. Rather confusing and about time they brought them both in line.
Going back to the OP's question. I'm currently looking at MGB V8 Roadsters for sale. By definition these are modified cars to a greater or lesser extent, i.e. not factory produced, but as far as I can see there's no way to see if a particular car is MOT exempt or not.
Surely if the owner has declared their car to have extensive modification, and hence forego the MOT exemption, it's simple enough for the DVLA to flag this up on their website.
mph said:
Surely if the owner has declared their car to have extensive modification, and hence forego the MOT exemption, it's simple enough for the DVLA to flag this up on their website.
I'd stab at being a Gov department DVLA feel that it is down to the new owner/driver to assess their, new to them, car. If there were a tick box showing 'yes extensive modification' the absence of a yes from the previous owner may empower the new owner to not assess their new car. Of course none of us would do it but those other people... DVLA will be thinking your car your responsibility?
The problem being we all know of many classic cars that have undergone major modifications, as the electric conversions mentioned above.
Thebaggers said:
If it is a V8 conversion based upon the Rover engine is isn't substantially modified by their definition, mine is a 72 V8 conversion and I have a bunch of other mods, it still fits within their points system. You're good!
I've become an armchair expert on modified MGB's !All the cars I'm looking at are based on the Rover engine. One in particular is very appealing but the owner has declared it substantially modified and hence not MOT exempt. He's well "qualified" and I'm sure he's done the correct thing. I have no issue with it either way but it did prompt me to look at whether the status of a particular car is available on the DVLA website. Apparently not.
Does the screenshot of the exemption form you've posted come up automatically ? I've just spoken to a friend of mine who also has no recollection of ticking an option. Could be we're both doing it subconsciously I suppose, but seems unlikely. Will be interesting to hear from others with MOT exempt vehicles.
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