54 replies to this topic

[Tamworthbay]

I look after all my cars. I have 3 classics (although none pre 1960) and do a pre MOT check on every one. In the last 3 years I have done 9 MOT's and have had 6 fails and 3 passes, 3 of the fails were for very minor issues. 2 were for brake or suspension related items which I couldn't get under to see well enough but weren't massively worrying. 1 was for a fibreglass repair on an inner sill of my daily drive MGB GT. This was done by a previous owner but had gone through 3 pre MOT's and 2 Mot's without being spotted. I am a professional engineer and teach kids motor vehicle studies. Trust me, I know how to look after cars. Point? I work with cars 40 hours a week and take great care over my cars, what might be lurking under an unsuspecting owners car? or will you need to prove you are a professional mechanic or rich enough to employ one before being allowed to own a classic. At the momet MOT stations have a maximum price they can charge, if the changes go through whats to stop them charging 200 quid for an 'insurance' check and ther will be no right of appeal.

Keep the MOT as it is IMHO.

[conlad]

I look after all my cars. I have 3 classics (although none pre 1960) and do a pre MOT check on every one. In the last 3 years I have done 9 MOT's and have had 6 fails and 3 passes, 3 of the fails were for very minor issues. 2 were for brake or suspension related items which I couldn't get under to see well enough but weren't massively worrying. 1 was for a fibreglass repair on an inner sill of my daily drive MGB GT. This was done by a previous owner but had gone through 3 pre MOT's and 2 Mot's without being spotted. I am a professional engineer and teach kids motor vehicle studies. Trust me, I know how to look after cars. Point? I work with cars 40 hours a week and take great care over my cars, what might be lurking under an unsuspecting owners car? or will you need to prove you are a professional mechanic or rich enough to employ one before being allowed to own a classic. At the momet MOT stations have a maximum price they can charge, if the changes go through whats to stop them charging 200 quid for an 'insurance' check and ther will be no right of appeal.

Keep the MOT as it is IMHO.

Give this man a medal

[Claibo]

I don't see why they can't bring in an alternative check for classic cars, as a lot of the things on MOTs nowadays don't apply to classics. But by bringing in an alternative better suited compulsory MOT check would be much more efficient in my opinion.

[mini-man-dan]

How stupid.

The UK has come up with some crazy ideas, but this one really does take the biscuit!!!!

So we will now have untrained people saying whether their car is roadworthy or not...

This is a lose-lose situation. I'm sure classic car owners can afford £50 a year to have their car professionally checked.

[Terry1987]

Dunno if this has been said yet, but, who says that the owner of a pre-1960 car was the restorer of said car, my other half loves minis but knows nothing, with enough wedge in her pocket she could pick up a 59 from a mini dealer and let it rot in her possesion for years

[Ethel]

To be fair an MoT on a vintage car is going to be a lot simpler because loads of they won't have many of the items to test, but then how many classic owners will have a lift or pit, let alone a set of brake rollers. you could make a better argument for exempting large fleet operators. It will be interesting to see if insurers insist on a substitute test of their own, but seen as the kind of enthusiasts who lobbied for the exemption probably own half the insurance industry i'm not betting on it.

[Tamworthbay]

I don't see why they can't bring in an alternative check for classic cars, as a lot of the things on MOTs nowadays don't apply to classics. But by bringing in an alternative better suited compulsory MOT check would be much more efficient in my opinion.

They kind of already do - when you go for an MOT the testers computer tells them what sections to check and what criteria apply e.g. emission levels. There are several 'teirs' already depending on age so why it is an issue is beyond me.

[JustSteve]

From the comments here, all of the classics that would be in 'good condition' and looked after, would still have an MOT anyway.

So the only cars that don't have one, will be the irrisponsible owners, that will probably not keep their car in a roadworthy condition.

This idea is stupid. It's not safe for the driver of the vehicle, and it's not safe for any other drivers or pedestrians!

[Mini_Magic]

As others have said, this is bad news not good news.

I still can't understand the reasoning for it. To save a few people £40 a year, since when has the government cared about that?

[Algordo1100]

What worries me with this, if it hasn't already been said. Is the possibility of cars 'acquiring' older identities.

Yes an very early mark one mini would be very well maintained by its owner. Would a tired early 90's sprite or mayfair, with a '59 identity necessarily be so looked after?

59 registered minis are rare. But how much more valuable has that identity just become if now it is tax free AND Mot free?

Al