11 replies to this topic

[Richard e]

Hello, my mini was registered in April 1985. I sent off the V5 to DVLA via a visit to the Post Office writing ‘historic’ In ‘change my vehicle details’ specifically ‘tax class’. I got the V5 back today but I see no change- nothing obvious to describe as historic. The post office did not have much clue. Have I missed something?

[sonscar]

Not historic until next april.mot exempt on 40th birthday,historic on anniversary of 40th year.As I understand it.Steve..

[mab01uk]

You can apply to stop paying for vehicle tax from 1 April 2025 if your vehicle was built BEFORE 1 January 1985:-

https://www.gov.uk/h...rom-vehicle-tax

 

However as your Mini was registered in April 1985 you have to wait to apply until 1 April 2026. The V5 will then be returned with 'Historic' as the taxation class.

If you could prove your Mini was built earlier than 1 January 2025 and not registered until April 2025 then you would qualify.....but as there are only a couple of months for you to wait now it would not be worth the bother anyway.

 

 

 

[Richard e]

Ah, I see. So from 1st April 2026 the gov message will change to ‘You can apply to stop paying for vehicle tax from 1 April 2026 if your vehicle was built before 1 January 1986’ which it will be. Do I have to do via the post office / or just send the v5 direct to DVLA stating ‘historic’ in the tax class?

Ta. Richard

[mab01uk]

You have to apply at a Post Office that can do car tax, just take your V5 with 'Historic' entered into the tax change section, and forms for MOT exemption, etc which can all be downloaded and printed in link below.

 

Apply for a vehicle tax exemption:-

https://www.gov.uk/h...e-tax-exemption

 

The PO keep your V5 to send to DVLA, enter all the details into their system and you then get a receipt for £0 tax payment, some of the forms get handed back to you and a few weeks later the new 'Historic' V5 should arrive in the post.

Edited by mab01uk, 07 February 2026 - 07:15 PM.

[panky]

And, I believe, if your car is still taxed after April 1st you will get a refund.

[Richard e]

Thanks all. I got a separate letter explaining some of this from DVLA after the V5 was returned.

[MrBounce]

If you want to avoid the delights of the Post Office, there is another way.

I tried it and it worked perfectly.

https://forum.retro-...le-class?page=1

[coopertaz]

If you want to avoid the delights of the Post Office, there is another way.

I tried it and it worked perfectly.

https://forum.retro-...le-class?page=1

this is one time the trip to the post office is good, like a celebration to stop paying road tax. 

[Retro_10s]

My '85 city E has just crossed the threshold, so this is on my list of things to do.

 

Am I still able to get the new V5 with Historic status - even though the Mini is currently SORN, uninsured, MOT-less.

 

I realise this subject has been spoken about till everyone is blue in the face    but i haven't managed to find a concrete answer on this yet. I've come to be under the impression you had to have the holy trinity of Tax, Insurance and MOT currently active in order to then make the exemptions. 

[beardylondon]

I recently did this process on one of my minis which is also off the road and it worked perfectly.

Just used “signed for” post to send it off to DVLA

Remember, as soon as you get the new V5C, you have to re SORN it

https://forum.retro-...le-class?page=1

My '85 city E has just crossed the threshold, so this is on my list of things to do.

Am I still able to get the new V5 with Historic status - even though the Mini is currently SORN, uninsured, MOT-less.

I realise this subject has been spoken about till everyone is blue in the face but i haven't managed to find a concrete answer on this yet. I've come to be under the impression you had to have the holy trinity of Tax, Insurance and MOT currently active in order to then make the exemptions.

Edited by beardylondon, 07 April 2026 - 07:20 AM.

[Retro_10s]

I recently did this process on one of my minis which is also off the road and it worked perfectly.

Just used “signed for” post to send it off to DVLA

Remember, as soon as you get the new V5C, you have to re SORN it

https://forum.retro-...le-class?page=1
 

My '85 city E has just crossed the threshold, so this is on my list of things to do.

Am I still able to get the new V5 with Historic status - even though the Mini is currently SORN, uninsured, MOT-less.

I realise this subject has been spoken about till everyone is blue in the face but i haven't managed to find a concrete answer on this yet. I've come to be under the impression you had to have the holy trinity of Tax, Insurance and MOT currently active in order to then make the exemptions.

 

 

This is a great help, thanks Beardy!