Do Classic Cars Need to be Taxed and Have a Current MOT?

Classic cars are not only a significant investment, but they can also be a lot of fun for drivers. However, there is an essential question that potential classic car owners should ask themselves before purchasing one: do classic cars need to be taxed and have a current MOT certificate in the UK? Let’s take a look at the regulations governing these vehicles.

Taxing Your Classic Car

In the UK, all vehicles over three years old must have valid tax. The good news is that classic cars—those aged 40 years or older—are exempt from vehicle tax. That means you won’t have to pay any road tax on your classic car. However, if you decide to modify your classic car or bring it back into use after being laid up for more than 12 months, you will need to pay vehicle tax to use it on the roads legally.

MOT Tests for Classic Cars

If your classic car is over 40 years old and hasn’t been modified significantly since 1989, then it is exempt from having to take an annual MOT test. This means that as long as your vehicle meets the criteria outlined by law, you won’t have to worry about getting it tested yearly—it’s one less expense associated with owning a classic car!

Maintain it Regularly

It is important to note that even though your car may be exempt from needing an annual MOT test, you must still maintain it regularly and make sure that it meets all of the necessary safety standards for driving on public roads. If your car does not meet these standards, then you could face some serious legal consequences if you are pulled over by the police while driving it.

Conclusion

   All in all, owning a classic car can be both rewarding and cost-effective when compared with other types of vehicles on the market today; however, understanding the laws surrounding them can save you time and money in the long run.

As long as your classic car is more than 40 years old and hasn't been modified significantly since 1989, there's no need to worry about taxing it or taking an annual MOT test for it to be driven legally on UK roads! So go ahead and enjoy your vintage ride!


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