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#Post#: 114543--------------------------------------------------
Historic (classic) vehicles: MOT exemption criteria
DIR By: peak4
Date: March 26, 2026, 3:35 pm
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Hello, as some members may be aware, the MOT exemption criteria
changed on 10th March.
I'm both raising a query, and also making folk aware in case
anyone on here is affected.
These are the new criteria
HTML https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/historic-classic-vehicles-mot-exemption-criteria/historic-classic-vehicles-mot-exemption-criteria--2#mot-exemption-eligibility<br
/>
I've no objection to having my vehicles MOT tested, though I've
several motorcycles legitimately historic and MOT exempt, as
they are broadly unmodified.
As I read it, new regs have done away with the 30 year
substantial mods rule, and removed the MOT exemption completely
for kit cars, as well as changing the criteria for what
qualifies as substantial mods.
It seems to have been brought in with little publicity, so how
are the public to know?
I'm guessing/hoping it will become obvious at re-taxation time,
as the website would reject, or I'd be reminded to check regs
before claiming exemption; I'm not in a position to check that
as my VEDs don't expire for several months.
An applicant might not even notice unless the website made it
obvious that new rules have come into force.
On a personal note, two of the changes affect me directly with a
couple of my vehicles.
I've a 1974 Air Portable Landrover, legitimately registered as
historic but fitted with a Rover V8 30+ years ago (Old MOTs to
prove that).
Previously, provided I retained enough original component parts,
it was MOT exempt as the relevant substantial mod was done over
30 years ago.
Re-taxing it without an MOT never presented a problem.
I also run a Marlin kit car; it's correctly registered as a
Marlin on the registration of the base vehicle, a 1973 Cortina.
Since it was built 30+ years ago, on an older base, it was a
legit historic; I asked the DVLA myself who confirmed they were
the rules at the time.
However, had I not seen a post, in a Marlin Owners group on
Facebook, and subsequently specifically searched around
elsewhere; (only GB News seemed to be covering it at the time),
if I had gone out in the Marlin on the 12th of March as
intended, I'd possibly be at risk of prosecution for driving
without an MOT.
The Marlin passed an MOT today, and the Landrover is booked in
next week.
The tester didn't know about these changes until I told him, and
couldn't find any more information than me.
To be fair to him, his responsibility is the testing, not
telling me whether I need one.
DVLA know I have several previously MOT exempt vehicles; they
also have my phone number for texts, email address, and postal
address.
Why haven't owners been informed as a matter of urgency?
This isn't a complaint about the change of regulations, I'm
querying what could/would have happened had I been caught
inadvertently breaking the law. I only found out it by chance.
In my case, I believe my insurance requires me to have an MOT if
the vehicle needs one, so I could even be at risk of driving
uninsured.
The insurance co. are quite happy with me driving an exempt
vehicle without MOT.
Thanks
Bill
#Post#: 114580--------------------------------------------------
Re: Historic (classic) vehicles: MOT exemption criteria
DIR By: 666
Date: March 27, 2026, 5:36 am
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If you had been caught "inadvertently breaking the law" then the
worst case outcome would be an income-related fine, in the
unlikely event of ending up in court. A £100 penalty is more
likely. No points would be applied in either case.
An insurance clause requiring an MOT has been ruled
unenforceable by the Ombudsman on several occasions. However,
your future premiums might be affected when you declared the
offence.
#Post#: 114581--------------------------------------------------
Re: Historic (classic) vehicles: MOT exemption criteria
DIR By: roythebus
Date: March 27, 2026, 5:56 am
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I'm one of those lucky ones who has a few pre-1960 preserved
buses. They've been test exempt for a number of years now as
well as being zero rod tax. The initial amendment to the "exempt
vehicles" list was a simple one-line amendment along the lines
of "any vehicle built or first registered before 1t January
1960". That includes buses used for hire and reward/PSV use
which some people felt was quit worrying. when I mentioned this
to the local Traffic Commissioner a few years back she said that
was quite alright as any bus used on an operators licence would
be included on the operator's planned maintainence scheme.
I've not seen the latest amandements, but this suggests they
will have been brought
into line with EU regulations and exepmtions.
#Post#: 118488--------------------------------------------------
Re: Historic (classic) vehicles: MOT exemption criteria
DIR By: peak4
Date: May 12, 2026, 4:07 pm
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Time for an update to this one; I only found out by accident on
our kit car owners club Facebook page (Private group so no point
in me sharing the URL).
By the looks of it, the DVLA advisory page explaining exemptions
was updated incorrectly on the 10th March.
It's now been revised, I think in early May, but still shows
last updated on 10th March.
HTML https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/historic-classic-vehicles-mot-exemption-criteria/historic-classic-vehicles-mot-exemption-criteria--2
They have now added at least two extra paragraphs, which confirm
an MOT exemption for historic kit car and modified vehicles,
where the 30 year rule applies.
Also clarification that this only applies to MOT exemptions and
not the registration.
Text below in blue font has been added, though the page date
remains unchanged.
A vehicle does not need an MOT if:
it was built or first registered more than 40 years ago
no substantial changes have been made to the vehicle in the last
30 years
This includes vehicles previously exempted on the basis of being
first registered before 1960.
Such vehicles are known as vehicles of historical interest
(VHIs).
You will need to declare that your vehicle is exempt from the
requirement for an MOT when you apply to tax it. You must tax
your vehicle even if you do not have to pay.
Your vehicle must be roadworthy whether it is exempt
or not, you may wish to voluntarily undertake an MOT test
anyway.
Your vehicle must have an MOT if it:
has been substantially changed
is a large vehicle being used commercially
has a registration number with a ‘Q’ prefix
is a kit car constructed from components from different makes or
models
is a kit conversion where a kit body, chassis or monocoque is
added to an existing vehicle or vice versa
is a reconstructed classic vehicle (as defined by DVLA)
However, if a vehicle meeting one or more of these criteria is
taxed as a ‘historic vehicle’, and it has not been modified
during the previous 30 years, it is exempt from needing an MOT.
If you cannot confirm that a vehicle has not been substantially
changed, you must not claim MOT exemption.
This guidance is only intended to determine the testing position
of a substantially changed vehicle, not its registration.
#Post#: 120141--------------------------------------------------
Re: Historic (classic) vehicles: MOT exemption criteria
DIR By: roythebus
Date: May 30, 2026, 1:46 pm
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What I'd like to see now is an exemption for historic vehicles
from the 10 year old tyre rule. I have 2 pre 1960 buses, both
fitted with new tyres in 2015. Both have done under 10,000km in
that time, the tyres are still in excellent condition with 7mm
tread, no signs of cracking etc. BUT, because they are over 10
years old, it is now illegal to use tyres over 10 years old on
steer axles. The problem is that 750x20 and 1000x20 cross ply
are only made in small batches every few years.
Here the law is an ass because have said the above, if my buses
are uses on a typical bur rally free service, I can use over 10
year old tyres, but as soon as an operators disc goes in the
front window and money/fares/H&R comes into play, the tyres
magically deteriorate to such a dgree as to be unusable. I'd
wanted to poartake in the Imber bus service this year but the
organisrs are stipulating that all buses on the service have
tyres all round under 10 years old. how is it they can stipulate
something that is not required in law?
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