Forthcoming rolling MoT exemption
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 11:20 pm
The outcome of the Government's consultation on 'Roadworthiness testing for vehicles of historical interest' is to exempt most vehicles over 40 years old (on a rolling basis) from MoT testing from 20 May 2018. However, a caveat in the proposal states that "those that have been 'substantially changed' will still require yearly testing." and a 'final guidance' on what constitutes 'substantial change' has been published.
In the section of this document headed 'The Criteria for substantial change' appears the following -
"Axles and running gear- alteration of the type and or method of suspension or steering constitutes a substantial change"
This has implications for owners of many 'Classics', but is particularly relevant to those of us that have SP250's. Under the present legislation - which makes no reference to 'substantial change' - all SP's built prior to 1960 are already MoT exempt. The new law will, from May next year, exempt all the rest, except presumably, any that have been 'substantially changed'. Many SP's both pre and post 1960 have been converted from the original cam and lever steering to Rack and Pinion - which under above criteria would appear to represent a 'significant change'.
If conversion to R&P steering does constitute a significant change, will this then apply to the cars built before 1960 that have converted to R&P or will we have two camps, (1) Those built before 1960, regardless of whether they have been converted, plus post 1960 cars that haven't been converted being exempt, and (2) Post 1960 cars that have been converted not being exempt?
Of course, with all SP's being at least 54 years old many owners will consider a professional annual examination of the car to be a wise precaution, whether or not it is exempt, but it would be useful to know the exact requirements of the law.
In the section of this document headed 'The Criteria for substantial change' appears the following -
"Axles and running gear- alteration of the type and or method of suspension or steering constitutes a substantial change"
This has implications for owners of many 'Classics', but is particularly relevant to those of us that have SP250's. Under the present legislation - which makes no reference to 'substantial change' - all SP's built prior to 1960 are already MoT exempt. The new law will, from May next year, exempt all the rest, except presumably, any that have been 'substantially changed'. Many SP's both pre and post 1960 have been converted from the original cam and lever steering to Rack and Pinion - which under above criteria would appear to represent a 'significant change'.
If conversion to R&P steering does constitute a significant change, will this then apply to the cars built before 1960 that have converted to R&P or will we have two camps, (1) Those built before 1960, regardless of whether they have been converted, plus post 1960 cars that haven't been converted being exempt, and (2) Post 1960 cars that have been converted not being exempt?
Of course, with all SP's being at least 54 years old many owners will consider a professional annual examination of the car to be a wise precaution, whether or not it is exempt, but it would be useful to know the exact requirements of the law.