Pre 1970's Cars To Be MOT Exempt?

[Wendelspanswick]

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/1970s-bangers-bypass-mots-to-join-ranks-of-classic-cars-zjsk9brqp

 

[zx9]

I can not read the item without registering but given they are showing a picture of a 1964 (?) Cortina under a headline of 1970's bangers I don't think it will be factual or un biased.

 

[rtbcomp]

I thought this was brought in 1 or 2 years ago?

 

[Burdekin]

I bought a P1800 just after it passed an mot, drove it from Taunton, when I started working on it was surprised the engune didn't fall out the chassis was so rotten. If MOTs are done properly all well and good but if not then not worth a pinch.

 

[rtbcomp]

MOT time is one of the most stressful for me - the thought of all those notes flying out of my wallet. My tester is a bit of a sadist, he tut-tuts a lot and keeps going to his pad to make notes, but I usually get a pass.

TBH, the MOT is probably the best bit of motoring legislation enacted.

 

[dobbslc]

When I take my truck in I actually ask him to have a good look at the suspension brakes etc and usually get under to have a look myself. I'd rather spot something and fix it before it breaks!

 

[ajlelectronics]

I have just put our van in for pre MOT. £1100 estimate to include 16 hours of welding! 03 Transit in otherwise good condition. Economically is is better to mend it, because a new van of unknown heritage would need painting and signwriting at the very least, so I will have to just suck it up, as they say!

I am not keen on the MOT exemption as many will take it as a green light to ignore problems and it WILL result in dangerous heaps being used on the road.

 

[awemawson]

It always worried me that my JCB3CX, which was road legal, was MOT exempt - OK it moves slowly but weighing so much can do a lot of damage in a short time

 

[colnerov]

Hi, Blooming press! it's not a fait accompli. It's a consultation on a proposal.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/roadworthiness-testing-for-vehicles-of-historic-interest

Colin

 

[ronan]

Like the article says, a lot of the cars of the 70's were less than desirable, as most of them were built (slung together) by communists. Morris marina ? Gawd help us.

 

[rtbcomp]

A friend of mine has a 1925 Rover which he says is MOT exempt, are these proposals to bring the exemption date forward, or is he wrong?

 

[colnerov]

Yes at present cars built before 1960 are MOT exempt, the proposal is to bring that forward to 1970. Another part of the proposal is to limit mileage or use of the car of historic interest.

As I understand it this originates from the EC to be in line with other European countries and their vehicle standards, but the UK government aren't keen. So as we haven't completed clause 50 yet this maybe a lip service and or delaying tactic, we shall see.

Colin

 

[slim_boy_fat]

A friend has a 1959 Vauxhall Victor, it's been exempt for a few years now.

Can't see it making much practical difference really - when did you see a car/vehicle of that age on the road last in your daily travels? Imho, anyone owning/running one tends to look after it anyway, so it would be maintained well enough to pass an MOT.

 

[rtbcomp]

@colnerov thanks for clearing that up.

 

[rtbcomp]

A friend has a 1959 Vauxhall Victor, it's been exempt for a few years now.

Can't see it making much practical difference really - when did you see a car/vehicle of that age on the road last in your daily travels? Imho, anyone owning/running one tends to look after it anyway, so it would be maintained well enough to pass an MOT.

The risk is some people who aren't proper classic enthusiasts may run these cars as bangers.

 

[piman]

Hello Rtbcomp,

that doesn't make a lot of sense as older but more modern cars, are much cheaper to buy and less trouble to run. (such as my wife's 2000 Mondeo, £700 about five years ago and just requires servicing, no bother at all)

However I would be happy as I have a 1968 Triumph 2.5 saloon.

Alec

 

[the snooper]

I have just put our van in for pre MOT. £1100 estimate to include 16 hours of welding! 03 Transit in otherwise good condition. Economically is is better to mend it, because a new van of unknown heritage would need painting and signwriting at the very least, so I will have to just suck it up, as they say!

I am not keen on the MOT exemption as many will take it as a green light to ignore problems and it WILL result in dangerous heaps being used on the road.

16 hours they are either very slow or your van is in a terrible state

 

[rtbcomp]

@piman Yes but pre-70 cars are already tax-free, no MOT (and potentially no MOT repairs) will make these cars even cheaper to run, even more so for those with the larger engines.

 

[ajlelectronics]

16 hours they are either very slow or your van is in a terrible state

The latter I believe!

 

[Gareth J]

The proposed compliment to tax free historic status was that they have to be "historically correct" colour changes, engine swaps, brake upgrades, suspension changes and the like would not qualify and be classed as a normal vehicle subject to normal RFD. Let alone hotrods, kit cars, buggies and the like.

We didn't see these restrictions put on owners when the rolling exemption was reinstated. The cynic in me wonders if the new mot exemption idea is a step towards making that happen. Or, maybe they're just trying to make life a little bit easier for us...