95 replies to this topic

[mister bridger]

I've responded, took less than five minutes. A mileage restriction would force me out of the world of Classic Cars completely. 

[mk1coopers]

I've responded to, some of the things I agree with some I don't

 

Mileage restriction, NO, most people choose to have this with there insurance, but you shouldn't be forced to

 

Modified cars, Should be allowed, especially all the coach built Mini's of the 60's

 

Interesting that they mention a date of pre 1988 for allowing modifications, I guess this would be down to the owner to prove with documentation.

[DeanP]

Never quite quite understood why they would want to exempt cars from a "road worthy" test in the first place.

 

Expecting everyone to fall into the "I love my car I will give it loads of TLC and test it works" is a bit stupid in my opinion.

 

In saying that, I'm happy with the ID checks etc as it'll could help stop these illegal shell swaps and ringing that seems so casually done in the mini community.

 

I'm all against a mileage restriction, why should someone dictate when I should use "MY" car.

 

I have sent my email off commenting as such.

Edited by DeanP, 28 October 2016 - 03:48 PM.

[Cooperman]

No checks can stop Mini shell changes except, maybe, on very late cars because there are no body identification marks which can be relied on to confirm that a shell is original or not, even if that matters in the real world.

[slpj24]

"Expecting everyone to fall into the "I love my car I will give it loads of TLC and test it works" is a bit stupid in my opinion."

 

I made pretty much the same comment in my response DeanP. Even though there are plenty of owners who do indeed look after their cars properly, there are plenty who have neither the time, or maybe the skills, or the facilities, or in many cases the motivation.

 

If exempted from mot, there are plenty of owners who will be tempted to ignore some serious issues. An annual mot forces an owner, like it or not, to at least have the car road worthy at least once a year, and surely that's a very good thing. I don't object to an mot at all. In fact it does me a favour. I get a chance to get under it, at the garage I use for the test. Since I don't have a ramp or a pit, or even a very big garage, that's very useful. And it costs me less than it would if I booked the car in for an 'inspection' at regular garage hourly rates. I actually quite like the mot, and a pass every year without advisories, adds to the value or at least keeps the value from falling. Far from being a hassle, the mot is pretty useful I find.

 

Of course I could and would, continue to have an mot if allowed, but they haven't proposed that. In fact they have been very deliberate in leaving out what will happen to cars that fail the new VHI test. And that's part of the worry with all this. If they'd said all this would be voluntary, it would be different. But they very clearly haven't said that.

 

The best option is their option 1. Re-start mots for ALL pre 1960 cars, and continue for all those made after that date too. Then there is no need and no excuse, for any mileage restrictions.

 

As for modifications to old cars. I don't see the problem with it as it is now. They have the 8 point rule for radically modified, leave it alone.

 

For Historcial status, if they really must tinker, ok road tax free for completely factory original cars if the owner wants a VOLUNTARY mileage limit. And for the rest of us, I'd be happy to pay road tax again, as long as I have free use of my cars.

 

My replies to the consultations are pretty much along those lines.

 

 

[DeanP]

"Expecting everyone to fall into the "I love my car I will give it loads of TLC and test it works" is a bit stupid in my opinion."

 

I made pretty much the same comment in my response DeanP. Even though there are plenty of owners who do indeed look after their cars properly, there are plenty who have neither the time, or maybe the skills, or the facilities, or in many cases the motivation.

 

If exempted from mot, there are plenty of owners who will be tempted to ignore some serious issues. An annual mot forces an owner, like it or not, to at least have the car road worthy at least once a year, and surely that's a very good thing. I don't object to an mot at all. In fact it does me a favour. I get a chance to get under it, at the garage I use for the test. Since I don't have a ramp or a pit, or even a very big garage, that's very useful. And it costs me less than it would if I booked the car in for an 'inspection' at regular garage hourly rates. I actually quite like the mot, and a pass every year without advisories, adds to the value or at least keeps the value from falling. Far from being a hassle, the mot is pretty useful I find.

 

Of course I could and would, continue to have an mot if allowed, but they haven't proposed that. In fact they have been very deliberate in leaving out what will happen to cars that fail the new VHI test. And that's part of the worry with all this. If they'd said all this would be voluntary, it would be different. But they very clearly haven't said that.

 

 

 

I agree entirely where the MOT is concerned. For what it's worth, my  other classic was registered new in 1953 and I still get it MOT'd every year. It still goes onto the system as normal and any advisories are registered just like any other car. Plus the local garage keeps my custom.

Edited by DeanP, 29 October 2016 - 10:38 AM.

[slpj24]

Sad to say though, I worry that not enough people are either aware, care, believe, or can be bothered to find out and then reply to the consultations.

 

A friend in the MG scene sent this email to me. He contacted the head of the club he is a member of, to ask if they were aware of, and to encourage them to respond to the gov't proposals.

 

This was the essence of the reply he got back

 

"Yes it's been discussed among the committee and I believe also sent out to all the area reps to garner their member's opinion and to request that they reply directly to DVLA. The timing stinks, being too short to get into the club magazine. Even the federation of British Historical Vehicle Clubs (of which we're a member) has been severely caught out by the timing

As an example of general apathy, one committee member emailed every Kent member (one of our largest groups) and received one reply! So he got the (ten) members who attended his monthly meeting to sign a document to be sent to DVLA. The Committee is making representation directly to DVLA on behalf of its members and are recommending Option 1.

Once again, to highlight the level of general apathy, out of 1000 members, you are the only non committee member to ask us about it!"

 

My friend added to me,

"Given the general lack of interest I suspect that the net response from individual owners of all marques will be at best in the low hundreds (out of the reported near 1 Million owners of +40 year old registered cars!!) Those on the BBS(MG) who have been diverting attention, blaming the EU  and everything and anyone else, and  saying that these government consultations are just a paper exercise not worth responding to will have been forecasting a self-fulfilling prophecy."

 

 

I hope my friend is wrong.

 

2nd November 2016 11:45 pm. That's the last chance most of us will get to have a say.

 

 

 

[Quincy Sparks]

I've sent my response, Option 1 all the way as far as I'm concerned. Just got new issue of Cooper World magazine, didn't spot any mention in there - does anyone know if the Mini Cooper Register have responded as an organisation?

[dsgoody]

Responded.

 

My personal opinion is that if a car is MOT exempt and *if* a mileage limitation is enforced as some form of 'damage limitation' then it should be up to the owner to take their car for a voluntary MOT to have this restriction lifted for the duration of the MOT. Not a bad deal really; drive your classic less than whatever the limit might be and get away MOT free (or with a basic safety test which I strongly advocate instead of nothing) or drive it over the limit and have an MOT the same way you do currently.

 

I personally drive my Mini 6,000 miles a year (some in mainland Europe) and when it reaches the exemption bracket I would like the option to continue driving it 6,000 miles a year if I choose to do so.

 

Dave.

[Dusky]

Make it like in belgium, where you Have the choice to make a 25+ car mot/tax exempt.
But, I'd rather cancel the whole MOT exempt thing. Far too many ringers and dangerous cars on the roads (at least here in Belgium).
Ofcourse, keep the MOT for old vehicles within limits eg. Don't expect that a ford T brakes as well as a new beetle .

The milage limit is ridiculous.
I'd also change road tax to miles driven. That would make a more fair system (unless it already is like that).

[Ethel]

The pre 1960 MoT exemption is because that's when the test was introduced, the same as rear seat belts and fog lights on many Minis - laws aren't applied retrospectively.

[slpj24]

LAST DAY TO RESPOND. DEADLINE 11;45PM --- TODAY!!!!

 

And, if you think you don't need to worry, because the AA or the RAC or your club or some other organisation will reply on your behalf, THINK AGAIN.

 

As Mini Mad reported above, there was no mention in his monthly magazine. Nor was there anything in Practical Classics magazine. The Editor said of the gov't so called consultations, and I quote ---

 

'Very simple answer...it was launched the day after we went to press.... VERY annoying.'
Danny Hopkins Editor."

 

Now the FBHVC has released it's response. They too are pretty pissed off that the gov't seems to have ignored them to a large extent too. You can read the FBHVC response here.  2nd a 3rd lines down, click on "response". in the far right column.

http://www.fbhvc.co....-consultations/

 

DEADLINE 11:45PM --- TODAY!!!   https://www.gov.uk/g...storic-interest

Edited by slpj24, 02 November 2016 - 10:37 AM.

[mini-geek]

Even I have sent one and I'm very sceptical of this happening.. I'm confident it won't but though

[slpj24]

I'll be pleased to be proved a exagerating scaremongering fool. I have no idea what they will decide. The FHBVC make it clear that they are opposed to mileage restrictions, but in favour of 40 year mot exemptions.

 

it may not be so clear cut. All we can do is wait.

 

Since this affects me personally, my thanks to all those who responded, even though you may have responded only for your own personal reasons and benefit.

[rsk289]

Thanks for posting the FBHVC's response - I hadn't seen this, but am comforted by it to a degree.  I responded myself a few days back.

 

The mileage limit element concerns me most.  In addition to my '68 'S', I have a '65 Cobra 289, a '68 Mustang GT and a '67 2CV van.  The Mustang alone did nearly 6,000 miles last year, going to Italy twice amongst other trips.  It will do another 4-5,000 next year at least with two extended trips around Spain.  I feel little guilt for this on an environmental front, as I haven't flown in a plane for at least 10 years...  but a mileage limitation would cripple this hobby completely and achieve nothing, except perhaps promote a huge wave of civil disobedience.