12 replies to this topic

[DomCr250]

Just cut n pasted this off Goggle ...thought it might be interesting to get everyone's views?

Classic cars could risk losing their exemption from MOT safety checks after the public backed the proposed change in a Government consultation.

It comes after more than two in five respondents supported the Department for Transport's suggestion to introduce new tests for cars over 40 years old.

The consultation, which gathered just over 1,000 responses, asked whether MOT testing or similar checks should become mandatory for classic and historic vehicles.

While no final decision has been made, the results signal that older vehicles might face regular safety inspections in the future.

 

 

[absx2]

Most of our classic cars are kept to a very high standard but there are minority's that treat a 40 year old car as cheap transport with classic insurance and no tax or MOT to worry about and sadly a small percentage of those cars are death traps so maybe an MOT isn`t such a bag thing.

 

I attended a show five years ago where a group of young lads turned up in a Morris Minor that was so badly corroded that the roof was kinked and the sills were bent.

The tyres were bald and heavily perished showing the cords in places.

A group of annoyed people slowly formed and wouldn`t allow the lads to re-enter the public highway after the show and a local farmer offered to drop the car home for them with a promise it wouldn't be driven again.

 

I don`t know what happened and I didn`t get involved but it`s quite likely it was on the road again the next week.

 

So maybe a tiny percentage spoiling it for the many ?

 

I don`t know but I do know I`ll have five extra MOT`s to cough up for if it goes ahead.  

[stuart bowes]

I'd be getting one done anyway regardless of exemption to be honest, a fresh pair of eyes over it may spot something I missed

 

Still get free tax and ULEZ though I'm hoping

 

when mines finished and actually old enough that is 

Edited by stuart bowes, 26 February 2025 - 01:07 PM.

[Avtovaz]

you should get a mot anyway, when you go on the road your saying that you have checked the car, but if it has a mot its been checked tot he samestandards as every other car. So if anything does go wrong, it may help you.

 

i saw a cortina mk5 at a show with rotten back arches, it was sharp edges etc, it was not good. There could be some public liability issues on that one if anyone hurt themselves imho.

[mab01uk]

I believe the possible MOT test being considered is one more suited to an older design of vehicle. One of the original arguments for bringing in the MOT exemption for 40 year old cars was because the modern MOT was no longer easy to carry out on older designs of cars which were built and designed to different standards in a different era when compared to modern cars. Plus many of todays MOT testers and mechanics were unfamiliar with some of the 'old school' features of a classic car and missing faults or failing cars which were within factory specified tolerance because the 'computer says no'.....

 

Personally I think not all classic car owners have indepth mechanical knowledge about the car they now own and after they buy an old car from an auction or previous owner don't have much idea of whether it is in safe roadworthy condition or not. Many have that knowledge or are keen to learn more from other enthusiasts but some just watch one of the many classic car series on TV and start driving the car they have just bought with no basic checks or inspection by a qualified professional....

Edited by mab01uk, 26 February 2025 - 07:57 PM.

[sonscar]

In my jaded opinion too much store is put on a mot meaning anything other than some fallible person in his opinion at the time he looked at it thought that it met the minimum standards.Even moderns go for the first test with bald tyres and poor brakes.Delightfully vague"worn to excess,excessively corroded" etc.Dont get fixated on MOT.Just my humble opinion after a near lifetime running chord.Steve..

[Steam]

The RWC here in Aus (same as an mot in the UK) is only valid for 30 days and mechanics will tell you that the moment it drives out of their workshop they will no longer honour it. All it proves is that a car is not a wreck. But it keeps the mechanics, windscreen fitters and shiny@£$€ government lackeys in a job.

[MatthewsDad]

If we're saying an MOT is pointless we're also saying it's ok driving around not knowing that's there's a potentially dangerous fault. I don't have a lift or rollers at home and rely on an MOT for a proper underbody and brake check once a year. Not a big deal for 40 quid.

[Cheeser]

I get my 1962 Lotus 7 an mot each year, I’m glad of another pair of eyes and the use of a ramp. The garage I use have their own Classic vehicles so know what they’re looking at. Unfortunately there are less and less garages with the experience and knowledge of classic vehicles so I know I will soon have to try to find another suitable garage when the current garage owners retire. Although some classic car owners do most of their car maintenance and know what they are looking at, there is also a large proportion who only wash and polish! A suitable mot every year or maybe two should be compulsory in my opinion.

[Steam]

Not saying they are pointless, they are however limited in their usefulness unless they are tailored to classic cars. Trying to get a classic to meet modern emmision standards is not uesful and certainly does not mean it is dangerous. The main problem with an MOT or RWC is a lack of common sense.

[PoolGuy]

I believe the possible MOT test being considered is one more suited to an older design of vehicle.

Interesting, tell us more. The only person I know who has a slight insight was suggesting that it'd be a two yearly test, but he's known to make suff up.

[DomCr250]

I wonder if it's also assist with the rumoured road pricing?   One of the suggestions on how to calculate pricing was via the mot test, you'd then be presented with a bill for usage in the previous year?

[sonscar]

Oh dear just fixed my speedo yesterday having failed on the way home from last year's MOT pass?,Steve..