Stage One Kit Fitted
Posted 06 July 2026 - 08:24 PM
Hi all
My mini is coming up to 40 years and someone told me I could get it reclassed as Historic online. I'm not convinced that's true as I can't see any way to do it other than posting forms and log book. Can someone who has done this confirm the process please.
Thanks
Camshaft & Stage Two Head
Posted 07 July 2026 - 09:30 AM
I didn't do it on line but I've just done my Citroen BX. It was registered in October 1985 but I had to wait until after 1st April this year to change the class. I filled in the relevant forms (V112 and V62), took them and my documents to the post office, the lady looked at them and gave me them back, she stamped the old V5C and filled in the change of class to Historic. She said they would be posted off the following Thursday with all the others that had been submitted and that was that, no charge, nothing. Two weeks later I got cheque in the post for the remainder of the VED I'd paid and a week later the new V5C arrived too.
So if you car is forty this year you will have to wait until April next year to apply.
Edited by panky, 07 July 2026 - 04:39 PM.
Moved Into The Garage
Posted 07 July 2026 - 09:52 AM
As above this can be done at any local Post Office that deals with Car Tax, usually the main Post Office in larger towns. I am not aware of it being possible to do online yet and even if it was I suspect they would want to see your original documents sent to DVLA by post. The Post Office sends the forms off for you and gives you a receipt for the transaction which is your proof of the change until your new V5 arrives in a couple of weeks in the post.
This thread linked below may also help.
Historic Vehicle Status:-
https://www.theminif...vehicle-status/
Edited by mab01uk, 07 July 2026 - 09:56 AM.
Stage One Kit Fitted
Posted 07 July 2026 - 02:57 PM
I don't think I have to wait until April? You can reclassify a car at any time; I think that the timing of it just has implications on the car tax. I may not be exempt from tax right away but I can still reclassify the car now, as far as I can see. To be honest the tax is not an issue for me, nor is the MOT; I just want to stop paying the expensive ULEZ charge every time I move the car!
Up Into Fourth
Posted 07 July 2026 - 03:23 PM
One Carb Or Two?
Posted 07 July 2026 - 03:28 PM
I don't think I have to wait until April? You can reclassify a car at any time; I think that the timing of it just has implications on the car tax. I may not be exempt from tax right away but I can still reclassify the car now, as far as I can see. To be honest the tax is not an issue for me, nor is the MOT; I just want to stop paying the expensive ULEZ charge every time I move the car!
When was the car first registered?
If before 31/12/85, you can change to Historic Class and be ULEZ exempt now.
If before 31/12/86, you have to wait until 1st April 2027. 
Edited by Quinlan minor, 07 July 2026 - 03:31 PM.
Moderator
Posted 07 July 2026 - 03:34 PM
I didn't do it on line but I've just done my Citroen BX. It was registered in October 1985 but I had to wait until after 1st April this year to change the class. I filled in the relevant forms (V112 and V62), took them and my documents to the post office, the lady looked at them and gave me them back, she stamped the old V5C and filled in the change of class to Historic. She said they would be posted off the following Thursday with all the others that had been submitted and that was that, no charge, nothing. Two weeks later I got cheque in the post for the remainder of the VED I'd paid and a week later the new V5C arrived too.
So if you car is forty this the you will have to wait until April next year to apply.
I realise you said there was no cost, but I'd like to confirm,...didn't you have to pay the usual £25 for a new V5C? I thought that would be unavoidable!
Camshaft & Stage Two Head
Posted 07 July 2026 - 04:34 PM
Not a penny, I did ask but the nice lady said there was no charge for the change. The £25 is only if you haven't got a V5C to begin with and you are applying for a new one.
Camshaft & Stage Two Head
Posted 07 July 2026 - 04:37 PM
I don't think I have to wait until April? You can reclassify a car at any time; I think that the timing of it just has implications on the car tax. I may not be exempt from tax right away but I can still reclassify the car now, as far as I can see. To be honest the tax is not an issue for me, nor is the MOT; I just want to stop paying the expensive ULEZ charge every time I move the car!
When was the car first registered?
If before 31/12/85, you can change to Historic Class and be ULEZ exempt now.
If before 31/12/86, you have to wait until 1st April 2027.
Yep as an '85 car I jumped in as soon as I was able after 1st April the following year and the £180 refund was very nice 
Moved Into The Garage
Posted 07 July 2026 - 05:01 PM
I don't think I have to wait until April? You can reclassify a car at any time; I think that the timing of it just has implications on the car tax. I may not be exempt from tax right away but I can still reclassify the car now, as far as I can see. To be honest the tax is not an issue for me, nor is the MOT; I just want to stop paying the expensive ULEZ charge every time I move the car!
When was the car first registered?
If before 31/12/85, you can change to Historic Class and be ULEZ exempt now.
If before 31/12/86, you have to wait until 1st April 2027.
The only exception to this is if you can prove the actual build date was earlier (ie. before 31/12/85) than the first registration date on the V5.
Sometimes the the first registration date is much later than the build date when a new car has sat in a Dealership for some time before being first sold. A Heritage Certificate (if available) that shows the actual factory build date is usually accepted by the DVLA as evidence in such a case.
Edited by mab01uk, 07 July 2026 - 05:04 PM.
Stage One Kit Fitted
Posted 15 August 2026 - 09:49 AM
Edited by mgjalopy, 15 August 2026 - 09:50 AM.
One Carb Or Two?
Posted 18 August 2026 - 09:20 AM
Thanks for all for your input on this topic. I tried to change the class but got the documents returned telling me I had to wait until April 2027. I just hope this government doesn't decide to do away with this exemption for old cars!
Really annoying as I desperately want to stop paying ULEZ. Not bothered about the tax and MOT; would quite happily continue paying them as it's just once a year. ULEZ of course is every time I move the car.
it is annoying as i had to wait with my 82 when i hade it historic, but easy process once you actually find a post office. The DVLA have had a review lately (article in practical classics this month) but no plans mentioned there to alter rolling 40 years or classic mot exemption, so long as it fits their criteria of no 'substantial changes' made in the last 30 years, but an mot a good idea anyway. main point seems to be including CKD and kit cars using build dates to class as historic
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