Historic Vehicle Tax Exemption

[clarko74]

The first E30s must be tax/MOT free now, I was wondering if anyone has been through the exemption process yet?

I have 3 more years until mine will be eligible...

[flybynite]

I think @hennabm's 323i made it through last month, its one of the earliest being Y-reg. Mine is 40 now but a bit behind his so won't qualify until next April.

You have to wait until the April after the car turns 40. Mine is a while off being on the road so I have a bit of time to do the paperwork.

[Dlb26]

I've done it on my Spitfire, as flybynite says you have to wait until the following year as it goes from April 1st rolling 40 yrs, it isn't automatic, you have change the taxation class to historic vehicle. You will then also be MOT exempt as long as the vehicle is not "substantially" altered which is largely down to interpretation. You also need to self declare MOT exemption when you get the zero tax or sorn letter (they still need to know if its on the road even though there's no charge).It's also debatable how wise not going for MOT is but I guess your approach to maintenance etc is a factor.

[clarko74]

I have just been reading this in some governement document regarding MOT exemption:

Engine – alternative cubic capacities of the same basic engine and alternative original equipment engines are not considered a substantial change. If the number of cylinders in an engine is different from the original, it is likely to be, but not necessarily, the case that the current engine is not alternative original equipment.

Interesting point about the number of cylinders, I have changed the engine in mine, but it still has a BMW 6 cylinder engine so that should be ok...

[flybynite]

I have just been reading this in some governement document regarding MOT exemption:

Engine – alternative cubic capacities of the same basic engine and alternative original equipment engines are not considered a substantial change. If the number of cylinders in an engine is different from the original, it is likely to be, but not necessarily, the case that the current engine is not alternative original equipment.

Interesting point about the number of cylinders, I have changed the engine in mine, but it still has a BMW 6 cylinder engine so that should be ok...

I think you will be fine, inline 6 BMW petrol, slight change in capacity that's all. If you had a 316 and put a V10 in then you might struggle for exemption.

Mine is likely to get its B27 before it goes on the road but that depends on how nicely the B23 jetronic wants to play

[Cypriotgeeza]

I've got 6 years left until mine is exempt! Counting down the days I wont be ripped off with Road tax!

Also I've always wondered, if its MOT exempt but you take it for an MOT and it fails..does that mean you still need a retest?

[DanThe]

If you had a 316 and put a V10 in then you might struggle for exemption.

Do you have to tell them? I did my 728 a few years ago and dont remember any such questions, very straight forward process

[clarko74]

I think the onus is on you to declare it as modified. You would probably get away with not informing them, but if you were ever involved in an accident and someone started digging around, it may come to light that the vehicle does not meet the requirements to be exempt, which would mean it would effectively not be taxed, which in turn would mean the insurance would be invalid.

[flybynite]

I think the onus is on you to declare it as modified.

This is the way I understand it works

Do you have to tell them? I did my 728 a few years ago and dont remember any such questions, very straight forward process

If you look at the wording it says you have to check it is not modified before applying. You will have accepted some small print somewhere in the process.

You need to check whether the vehicle has been substantially altered in the last 30 years, checking against the criteria (in the guidance above). If it has been altered substantially a valid MOT certificate will continue to be required. If you are unsure check, for example from an expert on historic vehicles (list referenced in the guidance).

[DanThe]

Id always take a car for an actual MOT test anyway, another pair of eyes over the obvious stuff is worth the money! No mention of tax there though

[hennabm]

I got mine registered as historic this April.
Due to the DVLA rules if it was registered after a date in January of its 40th birthday, it has to wait until April of the following year. Therefore mine was 41 before I got free tax and MOT exempt.

I will not be taking it for MOT any more.