Classic car owners could benefit from major car tax Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) discounts under new plans set out by campaigners.
Historic vehicle owners are currently exempt from paying any VED charges 40 years after their car is first registered.
This is done on a rolling basis meaning cars registered in 1984 will no longer need to pay from April.
However, a new campaign is pushing for owners of modern classics to enjoy tax reductions.
The new Parliament petition was created by Claire Knight who explained she was forced to pay hundreds of pounds to drive her classic sparingly over the summer.
She said: “Under the current rules a car does not become exempt from Vehicle Tax until it is at least 40 years old.
“There are vehicles within the 20 to 40 year age bracket that are well-loved, modern classics and without a reduction in tax, we may see these vehicles disappear from our roads.
“As the owner of a 20-year-old modern classic, which is seldom driven more than a 1,000 miles a year, I have just had my Vehicle Tax reminder though and even if I were to SORN the vehicle for six months of the year, it would still cost me £180 for six months.
“I like to take advantage of the occasional sunny day, year-round, so I must pay £320 for this privilege. And there are owners of other models of the same car paying nearly £400 a year.”
Over 2,500 people have already signed the petition which needs to reach 10,000 to get an official Government response.
If the poll receives the backing from 100,000 individuals the issue could be considered for debate in Parliament.
The petition still has four months to run with it scheduled to close on July 22, 2024.
A similar petition called for the Government to extend VED exemptions to cars that are 30 years old back in 2021.
It received the support of over 14,000 people but the Government quickly shot down the plans.
Responding to the survey, HM Treasury admitted there were “no plans” to reduce tax exemption for vehicles beyond the current 40-year level.
They explained: “The Government set 40 years as being a fair cut-off date that distinguishes classic cars from old cars.
“There are no current plans to reduce the tax exemption age for classic cars from 40 years to 30 years, but as with all taxes, VED is kept under review.”
