The Ministry of Transport is gearing up for a major overhaul in 2025 that could affect classic car owners. According to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), there are approximately 340,000 vehicles over 40 years old still with their registered keepers.
Historically, these vintage motors have been exempt from the annual MOT roadworthiness test, based on the assumption that they are meticulously maintained by their owners and not used frequently enough to warrant an inspection. However, the Department of Transport has launched a consultation to re-evaluate whether these cherished classics should be subject to yearly checks.
The suggestion has been met with broad support, as participants in the consultation largely agreed that older cars should face some form of testing. Out of the 1,083 responses received, there was a consensus that “a new type of check is needed” specifically designed for vintage vehicles.
Regarding how this check should be conducted, 18% of respondents felt it should be akin to a full MOT or something similar, with one advocate saying, “Yes an age and status-related ‘sympathetic’ style MOT would be useful, particularly for classic cars that are driven fairly regularly.”
On the other hand, a more lenient view was held by 10%, who argued for a less rigorous test to ensure safety. A modest 8% of those surveyed expressed the opinion that older vehicles should be subject to a full MOT, tailored to the car’s age. However, even among this group, there was consensus that classic cars shouldn’t have to pass an emissions test, reports The Mirror.
One driver remarked: “A one-off safety check following major restoration or repair work would be appropriate. Individual Vehicle Approval is not suitable in this context.”
Only a small fraction, 5%, were in favour of an “ad-hoc inspection when vehicle is used on the road or following major restoration”, making it the least popular choice. The largest segment, at 36%, saw no need for new MOT safety inspections for vintage motors.
Nonetheless, the debate over classic car inspections isn’t new. The Federation of British Historical Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) has previously suggested that older automobiles should be subjected to safety checks, especially after “major restoration or repair”, and before being allowed back on the streets.
