MoT-Exemption Conundrum
Classic American|December 2017

Tony takes a look at the recent legislation exempting cars 40 years old or over from MoTs after May 2018…

MoT-Exemption Conundrum

Hello, and welcome to another column aimed at the muscle car enthusiast. This month is an open discussion regarding the Government’s decision to exempt any vehicle over 40 years old from taking the Ministry of Transport test (MoT). For a few years up to now, pre-1960 vehicles have been exempt from the MoT. I feel that this course of action is correct for cars and motorbikes of this era. But, for the Ministry of Transport to push back the date of manufacture with MoTs not being required to a rolling 40-year figure is quite something.

From May 20, 2018 most 40-year-old vehicles will not need a valid MoT certificate to be used on public roads. However you still need to keep the vehicle in a roadworthy condition and can voluntarily have a test, even though you don’t need one.

The Government recommends continued regular maintenance and checks on the vehicle. You must also have the car insured and taxed. Again, most taxes will be free, which is such a pointless exercise anyhow, or you should SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) the vehicle. Failure to do so will result in a hefty fine.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM CLASSIC AMERICANView all
On your Mark VII
Classic American

On your Mark VII

In our sixth instalment of the Continental story, we’re looking at the seventh iteration of the Continental Mark series: the evergreen Mark VII, a powerful, aerodynamic coupe that looks as fresh today as when the covers were first pulled off 37 years ago…

time-read
7 mins  |
August 2021
Mercury Cougar
Classic American

Mercury Cougar

A ‘posh’ Mustang? It could only be the Mercury Cougar …

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2021
Chrysler Concept 70X
Classic American

Chrysler Concept 70X

Safety as a marketing concept for cars? Well, Richard Heseltine reckons we have Ralph Nader to thank for that. This month Richard examines a concept vehicle that was a direct result of the sudden interest in vehicle safety after Nader’s campaigning…

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2021
Stock or modified?
Classic American

Stock or modified?

Evans debates the merits of keeping your classic in factory condition or adding upgrades to make it more suitable for today’s roads

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2021
HEAVY METAL COLLECTION
Classic American

HEAVY METAL COLLECTION

With a bit of luck we might be able to fly to the US again by the end of the summer. If Los Angeles is on your itinerary, then make sure you include the Petersen Museum for a very special exhibition that’s been extended due to the pandemic. Keith Harman explains why…

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2021
Patience is a BARRACUDA 1970 Plymouth Barracuda
Classic American

Patience is a BARRACUDA 1970 Plymouth Barracuda

We’re often reading about people who have an ideal car in their mind, and who wait decades until that dream becomes a reality. We meet another beautiful dreamer, Tom Aspinall, and his Detroit-inspired dream from Mother Mopar…

time-read
8 mins  |
August 2021
1960 Cadillac Sedan De Ville Johnny Cash's CADILLAC?
Classic American

1960 Cadillac Sedan De Ville Johnny Cash's CADILLAC?

Country crooner Johnny Cash famously sang about a Cadillac created by a worker at the Cadillac factory – One Piece at a Time – as he, errr… took bits of car home over a period of years to create a car… but was it a ’60 or a ’61 or a…?

time-read
6 mins  |
August 2021
1929 Lincoln Limousine NICE JAG MATE!
Classic American

1929 Lincoln Limousine NICE JAG MATE!

It’s not often we come across a Gatsby-era luxury car that has been in the UK since the roaring Twenties and with the same owner since 1966! Meet Derek Brown’s magnificent 1929 Model L seven-passenger Limousine…

time-read
6 mins  |
August 2021
Remembering The K-Car
Classic American

Remembering The K-Car

Evans looks back to the humble compacts that saved Chrysler…

time-read
3 mins  |
February 2021
Classic American

Idaho Red!

This early 1965 Ford Mustang still looks to be wearing most of its original paint and proves the point: it’s only original once!

time-read
7 mins  |
February 2021