If you are the proud owner of a classic MG car, you're likely already aware of the joy and nostalgia these exceptional vehicles bring. But are you familiar with the specifics of the MOT exemption for classic cars in the UK?
To keep your vintage beauty roaring on the roads legally and safely, it's crucial to understand the rules and regulations surrounding this exemption.
This guide is designed to navigate you through the intricacies of Classic Car MOT Exemption, especially tailored for MG car enthusiasts like you. Delve into the technicalities of MOT testing, understand your responsibilities as an owner, and gain peace of mind knowing you're preserving your MG's classic spirit while adhering to the law.
What are my responsibilities under MOT exemption?
Since 2018, cars over 40 years old have been exempt from the annual MOT roadworthiness test, but it isn’t simply a case of a car reaching a fixed age and becoming exempt.
In MG terms, that means all Abingdon-made cars are now eligible for MOT exemption, along with the earliest examples of the MG Metro and Maestro.
There are certain steps you have to take to ensure your vehicle is made exempt, but perhaps more importantly there are rules and guidelines you need to follow. The most important of these is that your vehicle must remain roadworthy if used on the public highway and must be maintained in a condition in which it would pass an MOT test, which in many ways brings the whole issue of test exemption into question.
What cars are eligible for exemption?
According to DVLA guidelines, a car can be declared MOT exempt if it is over 40 years old and is “not substantially modified” from original. The exact rule around modifications is a bit of a grey area, as cars that are mildly modified should be fine – moderate performance improvements, uprated brakes and suspension and suchlike are generally accepted as not substantial, but any major changes to the body or chassis are a different proposition altogether and the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) advises that if your car is substantially modified you should ensure it still goes for an annual inspection and is not declared MOT exempt, as you could run into substantial problems in the event of a collision or traffic incident. Also, bear in mind that substantially modified cars might not be properly insured and you need to inform your insurer of any changes. The MOT exemption exists to encourage the preservation of older cars, not to dupe or mislead – if you’re in any doubt at all refer to the government’s own guidelines on substantial changes, which can be found here.
How do I register my vehicle as MOT exempt?
To declare your historic vehicle as MOT exempt, you need to fill out a form V112 with DVLA, which can be accessed here. You should do this at the same time as you apply for your car’s first historic vehicle tax disc if it is about to turn 40 years old, or if it already is past the date of MOT exemption you must return the form to DVLA before you can drive it without a test. Many historic vehicles on the market will already have been declared MOT exempt and you don’t have to do this again as a new purchaser, but if a car has been off the road for a while, is being returned to the road after restoration or is a newly imported vehicle, then you must declare it MOT exempt before you can drive it on the road without one. Also, if a previously MOT-exempt car is substantially modified subsequently it may no longer qualify for exemption, so refer to the guidelines to be safe.
Can I still take my exempt car for an MOT?
Yes, you can – and it won’t affect its exempt status if you do. Indeed, many specialists recommend that you should still MOT your classic car even if it is exempt, as by doing so you are showing a level of responsibility as an owner in keeping your historic car roadworthy.
It will also help you prove you have taken all reasonable steps to ensure roadworthiness in the event of a traffic accident or insurance claim. One specialist insurer, Heritage Classic Insurance, even goes as far as to state on its web page:
“In the interests of vehicle and driver safety, we would recommend that classic owners should continue to put their car through an annual MOT, even when it has reached the exemption. This ensures it is being regularly checked for roadworthiness, and gives you as the owner the confidence of a professional, regulated review of your vehicle on an annual basis."
<>In reality, the MOT will deliver peace of mind to the owner – it’s well worth getting one done if you’re selling the car, or if you aren’t especially mechanically minded yourself. Exemption is only a bonus if you can, hand-on-heart, be sure your car is 100% roadworthy. If not, for the cost of a test (currently £54) it’s worth keeping your MOT up-to-date, exempt or not. It is, after all, a professional assessment of your car’s safety-critical elements.
Do I still have to pay Vehicle Excise Duty (VED)?
VED, or ‘road tax’ as it is commonly referred to, becomes exempted at 40 years old as well, so as soon as your car hits 40 it qualifies for Historic Vehicle status. However, tax exempt does not mean MOT exempt as the ‘substantially modified’ element does not apply.
You can apply for tax exemption here, and you must do it separately from the MOT exemption. Also, even if your car is tax exempt, you still need to licence it before using it on the road. You can do this online here, but if you don’t you’re as liable as the owner of a car with paid tax to ensure it is licensed and run the risk of your car being clamped or receiving a hefty fine if you don’t.
What rules apply to me if my car is MOT exempt?
The absolute rule of thumb here is that if your car is MOT exempt and you choose to declare it as such or drive it without an MOT, then the responsibility to keep it safe and roadworthiness is entirely your own. Arguably, this is the case anyway but an annual inspection can at least help you identify problems, potential problems (advisories) and take the relevant action to ensure your car is safe to use on the road.
In terms of common MOT failure items, MGOC Spares can help you with all safety critical items such as lighting, brakes, tyres, sills and suspension parts, which are the most common failure points for classic cars submitted for an MOT test in England, Scotland and Wales. Exemption rules are the same as the rest of the UK for Northern Ireland, even though the equivalent NCT test is slightly different.
MGOC Spares advises all historic vehicle owners to not only check the condition of obvious safety critical items, but to also pay attention to perishable items such as fuel lines and brake pipes, as well as the car’s structural condition – if your car is found to have safety critical corrosion to the sills and floors, for example, you could end up in a lot of trouble, or have an insurance claim rejected in the event of an accident. Again, MGOC Spares has a range of body repair sections and panels in stock.
What are the potential penalties and problems if my MOT-exempt car is found to be unroadworthy?
Here’s where you have to be extremely careful. If you’re found driving an unroadworthy vehicle with MOT exemption in place, the law is likely to take a very dim view depending on the severity of the issue.
If it’s a defective light or something trivial, chances are you’ll get away with a small fine at worst and be asked to prove your car’s roadworthiness once repaired (the easiest way to do this is to take it for an MOT test), but according to motoring lawyers Purcell-Parker, more severe issues such as dangerous tyres, extensively corroded bodywork or chassis components, defective brakes or unsafe suspension components could land you in very hot water – a potential fine of up to £2,500 per fault, and three points on your licence for each one.
If you are involved in an accident in which someone is killed or injured, and you are proven to have knowledgeably driven a vehicle in a dangerous condition, then you could face an unlimited fine and up to 10 years imprisonment.
If any of those things concern you – and unless you’re fastidious about car maintenance, they should – then by far the best thing to do is take your car for an annual MOT regardless of its exempt status, and in doing so you can demonstrate that you have taken all reasonable steps to ensure your car is, to the best of your knowledge, safe to use on the roads.
Final MOT Exemption FAQs
What should classic car owners know about MOT testing and road tax exemption?
MOT testing, an annual inspection of safety-critical elements of a vehicle, is not required for classic vehicles over 40 years of age. However, MGOC Spares strongly recommends that classic car owners still take their reconstructed classic vehicle for an MOT to ensure roadworthiness.
This also applies to classic vehicles that have undergone significant reconstruction, including substantial change to the axles and running gear, engine, or chassis. On the other hand, road tax exemption comes into effect as soon as a vehicle reaches 40 years of age, qualifying it for Historic Vehicle status.
What is the Department For Transport (DFT)'s stance on public service vehicle exemption?
According to the Department For Transport (DFT), public service vehicles that are over 40 years old can also qualify for MOT and road tax exemption. However, this is only viable if the vehicle hasn't been substantially modified in those decades.
While most vehicles over 40 years of age can be exempt from an MOT test, the Department For Transport (DFT) requires that goods vehicles powered by steam engines and heavy commercial vehicles must still undergo MOT testing in order for them to be roadworthy.
Who are MGOC Spares?
At MGOC Spares, we provide dedicated parts and accessories for classic MG vehicles, including the MGB, Midget, MGC and many more.
With thousands of products in stock, we are your one-stop shop for all your classic car needs. Our wealth of expertise means that you can trust us to find the right part for your classic MG vehicle – whatever it may be.
Need support finding the right parts for your MG? Contact us today, we're happy to help!