MOT Exemption

[Dallas]

I have a question for you all...

Does anyone know much about how the MOT's work on tax and mot exempt cars?

I've seen adverts for 40+ year old cars of which have failed their previous MOT, some have failed years previous.

I heard if a car has failed its last MOT, it still has to have an MOT with a 'pass' before it can become exempt and have a VHI certificate, is that correct?

[COLVERT]

That does sound like it would be true.

However what would happen if it failed the MOT the year after gaining its certificate ??----


Would the certificate be revoked ??

[clf]

Originally Posted by Dallas

I have a question for you all...

Does anyone know much about how the MOT's work on tax and mot exempt cars?

I've seen adverts for 40+ year old cars of which have failed their previous MOT, some have failed years previous.

I heard if a car has failed its last MOT, it still has to have an MOT with a 'pass' before it can become exempt and have a VHI certificate, is that correct?

It doesnt appear to be the case. HOWEVER, it MUST be roadworthy (.gov) as any car does. An MOT is only valid at the time of the test, so if it becomes unroadworthy for whatever reason an hour after getting an MOT, then it is an illegal vehicle.

So whilst it does not have to have a previously valid MOT, to qualify, it does need to be roadworthy, and unless the MOT failure sheet has been rectified, then it is not roadworthy, and therefore liable to seizure, as well as being MOT exempt.

People place too much emphasis on an MOT cert. It means nothing.

[COLVERT]

Quote.--People place too much emphasis on an MOT cert. It means nothing


Not too sure about that when explaining to the police why you don't have one.--

[clf]

Originally Posted by COLVERT

Quote.--People place too much emphasis on an MOT cert. It means nothing


Not too sure about that when explaining to the police why you don't have one.--

errrm my car is 42 years old ocifer *hic*

[Dallas]

I have come across cars to have failed their previous MOT, and the adverts will state the vehicle is tax and MOT exempt.

So does this mean the car is still exempt just because its 40+ years old, or will the car still need a new MOT to continue to drive it on the roads?

Also, if a car has been stood while it turns 40 years old, and its last MOT shows a fail, does this mean the car is automatically exempt? Can the owner just apply for a VHI, or does the car need a new MOT showing a 'pass' first?

[clf]

Originally Posted by Dallas

I have come across cars to have failed their previous MOT, and the adverts will state the vehicle is tax and MOT exempt. Nothing wrong there, this is factually correct - doesnt mean the cars are allowed to be used on the road.

So does this mean the car is still exempt just because its 40+ years old, or will the car still need a new MOT to continue to drive it on the roads? Yes it is still exempt, and no it does NOT need a valid certificate, but it does need to be roadworthy to continue to drive it on the road - as per the .gov link.

Also, if a car has been stood while it turns 40 years old, and its last MOT shows a fail, does this mean the car is automatically exempt? Yes, again from the .gov link, but it still has to be roadworthy. It could even be standing for 40 years from new with 0 miles on it! I would suggest the tyres would be unlikely to be roadworthy though Can the owner just apply for a VHI, or does the car need a new MOT showing a 'pass' first? Yes they apply using a V112 form, no they dont need an MOT, but it still needs to be roadworthy.

to be able to use any vehicle on the road, whether it qualifies as a historic vehicle or not, it has to be roadworthy.

If it has failed its previous MOT, and those issues were not rectified, it is obviously not roadworthy, therefore you cannot legally drive it on the road and yep it does still qualify for exemption.

The ability of it to be used on the road is not age related. MOT exemption is age related.

All of the above is of course, if it the vehicle has not been 'substantially modified' (which is explained further on the .gov link) in the last 30 years.

addendum, who determines it is not roadworthy, I would assume an officer of the law, or a DOT inspector, likely at a roadside test. If a suspicion is felt, then I would believe they have the power for it to be inspected properly (at whose cost, I dont know).

[RoverP480]

As clf has stated , with some exceptions the MoT exemption is age related but to be legally used on the road it needs to be roadworthy, age doesn't come into it.
I have a Rover P6 in the garage which has seized brakes. It is actually on SORN but I could legally tax it for road use without payment or a MoT . I could use it on the road without breaking any law regarding MoT,s but would be liable for using an unroadworthy vehicle.

[Dallas]

Originally Posted by clf

to be able to use any vehicle on the road, whether it qualifies as a historic vehicle or not, it has to be roadworthy.

If it has failed its previous MOT, and those issues were not rectified, it is obviously not roadworthy, therefore you cannot legally drive it on the road and yep it does still qualify for exemption.

The ability of it to be used on the road is not age related. MOT exemption is age related.

All of the above is of course, if it the vehicle has not been 'substantially modified' (which is explained further on the .gov link) in the last 30 years.

addendum, who determines it is not roadworthy, I would assume an officer of the law, or a DOT inspector, likely at a roadside test. If a suspicion is felt, then I would believe they have the power for it to be inspected properly (at whose cost, I dont know).

Thanks Alan, much appreciated.

[COLVERT]

Originally Posted by RoverP480

As clf has stated , with some exceptions the MoT exemption is age related but to be legally used on the road it needs to be roadworthy, age doesn't come into it.
I have a Rover P6 in the garage which has seized brakes. It is actually on SORN but I could legally tax it for road use without payment or a MoT . I could use it on the road without breaking any law regarding MoT,s but would be liable for using an unroadworthy vehicle.

Not sure I have understood your post, sorry.

Wouldn't it be breaking the law to use a car on the road of any age without an MOT ???----