‘No MOT’ for pre-1960

4 November 2011  

Recent discussions between IAAF and roads minister Mike Penning were confirmed this week when proposals to exempt classic cars and motorbikes from the MoT test were published for consultation.

The DfT’s document asserts that classic and historic vehicles are often very well maintained by their owners and have a much lower accident and MoT failure rate than newer cars.  However, many IAAF members, who are also classic car owners, have questioned the validity of the DfT’s statement.

At the heart of the consultation document is the proposal to exempt private vehicles manufactured before 1960 from the MoT test. Mike Penning said, “We are committed to reducing regulation which places a financial burden on motorists without providing significant overall benefits. Owners of classic cars and motorbikes are enthusiasts who maintain their vehicles well – they don’t need to be told to look after them, they’re out there every weekend checking the condition of the engine, tyres and bodywork.  That is why I am today putting forward proposals to scrap the MoT test for these vehicles – this will result in savings for the Government and for motorists.”

IAAF chief executive Brian Spratt commented, “Mike Penning told me he’d made a decision to remove classic vehicles from the MoT test when we met a couple of weeks ago, but he refused to divulge the cut-off date.  He couldn’t identify quite how unroadworthy vehicles would be identified and is convinced that all enthusiasts do maintain their vehicles properly; but I’m not so sure.  When I speak to car enthusiasts they all know fellow owners who operate on a ‘shoestring’ and those whose technical skills are ‘sketchy’.”