MoT controversy

Rolling exemption approved without universal accord

AS OCTANE WENT to press it was announced that, from May next year, there will be a rolling exemption from the MoT for vehicles over 40 years old. This brings them into line with pre-1960 vehicles, and means that exemption from MoT and road tax will be synchronised. The legislation is going through despite a majority of respondents to the Government’s proposal opposing it.

An estimated 293,000 vehicles will be newly exempt from May, with the number growing each year thereafter. Justifications include claims that cars of this age are usually kept in good condition, they are used relatively sparingly, the modern MoT is no longer suitable for cars over 40 years old, and garages can’t test them adequately.

There are clear issues with these assertions. MoT stations, in Octane’s experience, have no difficulty with cars built between 1960 and 1978. Some classics are driven with vigour and tackle long trips, so components will be stressed. This era of car is also very susceptible to corrosion, so regular checks are vital. And not all owners will address this.

The fear is that an accident will be caused by the failure of a once-testable component, with not only human cost but also repercussions for the use of exempt cars. Like ‘road tax-free’ status, the new regime identifies and separates older vehicles from other road stock, making it easier to introduce restrictions. The classic car community will be watching developments closely.