Are Classic Cars Safe Enough to go Without an MOT?

• Since 2018, vehicles over 40 years old are exempt from MOTs and certain taxes, but must remain roadworthy to avoid penalties.
• Many classic car owners are choosing voluntary MOTs, highlighting a significant failure rate and underlying safety concerns.
• Despite the exemption, regular maintenance and annual MOTs are recommended to maintain vehicle safety and condition.

Since 2018, classic car owners have enjoyed exemption from MOTs and tax fees, applicable to vehicles 40 years and older. But just because they do not legally require an MOT, it doesn’t mean that classic cars shouldn’t be maintained & serviced regularly. 

But why bother if you don’t have to? In this article, we explore the question of whether or not classic cars are actually safe enough to skip the MOT, regardless of whether it’s a legal requirement or not. 

Is my classic car exempt from MOTs and tax? 

Prior to the year 2018, MOT exemptions were only applicable to cars made before the 1960s. 

However in May 2018, new rules were introduced which are as follows:

• Cars, motorbikes, vans and other light passenger vehicles that were either built or registered over 40 years ago are exempt from MOTs. 
• This only holds true so long as no substantial changes have been made to the vehicle in question during the past 30 years. If you’re not sure whether the changes you’ve made count as substantial or not, then just make sure you check out the full guidelines. 
• While you don’t have to apply to halt your MOTs, you do have to apply to stop paying vehicle tax. Bear in mind that even though you no longer have to pay the fee, your vehicle should still be taxed. 
• While classic car owners do not need to put their vehicle through an MOT, you are still required to keep it in roadworthy and legal condition. If you don’t, you could face repercussions of three penalty points and being fined a sum of up to £2,500.  

The problem with exemption  

Even though this exemption may seem like good news, concerns have been expressed by industry figures that the new rules may trigger a deterioration of the maintenance of classic or historic cars. The concern is that this relaxation of rules could see a wave of classic cars being neglected and falling into disrepair – this danger could be even bigger for owners who are less mechanically knowledgeable about their vehicles. And with no advice and reference point from a yearly MOT, this may then exacerbate the problem. 

As a result, many classic car owners have undertaken voluntary MOTs. The Sunday Times found last year that 1 in 5 classic cars failed their MOTs between 2019 to 2021, shedding light on the potential problem, as well as highlighting the potential for unroadworthy historic vehicles to be flying under the radar. 

Why should classic cars undergo an MOT? 

The significant number of classic car MOT failures definitely hints towards unfit cars out on our public roads, unchecked. And if caught by the police, you could face fines and receive points on your licence for driving a vehicle which is not in roadworthy condition. 

The simple and responsible solution as a classic car owner is to carry out regular checks and keep on the ball with regular maintenance – and this includes engaging in an annual MOT, even though you don’t legally have to. 

Classic cars still fall foul of problems such as corrosion, sticking brakes, degradation of tyre suspension, not to mention electrical faults and overall structural problems. These issues are better caught early and resolved. And that’s where a local car autocentre can help to keep your classic car performing at its very best. 

Ensure your classic car remains in top condition with help from Mr. Tyre. With over 40 years’ experience as Central England’s leading auto experts, we are familiar with historic cars of all types and understand how to keep them at roadworthy quality. Just get in touch today for more advice or to book an appointment.