Drivers warned about major MOT rule change to be UK road legal
Drivers of thousands of UK cars are being warned they will need to get MOTs to get the mon the roads. Currently, classic vehicles more than 40 years old are exempt from the annual safety inspection, assuming they haven't been significantly modified from their original state.
However, a public consultation by the Department for Transport (DfT) hinted at this changing, with over 40 percent of participants in favour of mandatory safety checks for such vintage cars. Out of the 1,083 responses, while 36 percent saw no need for change, 41 percent backed the introduction of full or age-appropriate MOTs for classic or historic vehicles.
Eighteen percent of those asked even call for checks similar to a full-scale MOT for older models. One survey participant commented: "Yes an age and status-related ‘sympathetic’ style MOT would be useful, particularly for classic cars that are driven fairly regularly."
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Furthermore, a modest 10 per cent suggested just a basic safety check to ensure the vehicle is roadworthy within the UK.
An additional eight percent favoured MOT-style tests suitable for a car's age—for instance, certain vehicles might not require emissions testing—while five percent had other thoughts. Although no decisions have been made, signs indicate that these cherished older vehicles might need to satisfy modern test requirements in the future.
There are calls for spot checks when a vehicle hits the road or after significant restoration work. A Government spokesperson informed the Telegraph that any new safety test plans for classic cars would be made public in due time.
"The safety of our roads is our utmost priority, and all car owners are responsible for ensuring their vehicle meets the road safety and environmental standards," the spokesperson said. "While classic cars do not need an MOT test, there are still a number of safety checks recommended for owners to undertake."
Car owners must schedule an annual MOT test every year.
The Ministry of Transport test ensures vehicles adhere to the legal road safety and environmental standards. It's permissible to drive a car without an MOT to a garage if your certificate doesn't indicate a dangerous defect.
However, it's against the law to drive your car anywhere else. The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) has previously indicated that classic cars should undergo certain safety checks.
They've cautioned that models which have had "major restoration or repair" should be examined by mechanics before being driven on public roads. In correspondence with the DVLA, the FBHVC previously stated: "There may be circumstances, for example, following major restoration or repair work, when a one-off safety check would be appropriate. This might require a more thorough inspection than the MOT, potentially including some dismantling to allow full access to all parts of the vehicle."
Vehicle but, in line with the MOT, should evaluate the vehicle based on the technical standards applicable when it was new. ".