MOT test for pre-1960 cars

What's the view of members on the scrapping of MOT tests for pre-1960 cars? It seems there are very strong opinions;  - Is this a prelude to other legislation regarding old cars? - What will be the reaction when a non-roadworthy pre-1960 car causes a severe accident due to a failure which the MOT test would have picked up? - Is there a legal requirement anyway for car owners to keep their cars roadworthy? - Do you value the MOT test as a regular and simple check on your Alvis? Posted by Philip 24/05/2012 11:22:44

This is an interesting topic to discuss. I have very mixed feeling after having had my 1976 Daimler and my 1995 Jaguar failed for the most trivial non-safety reasons. The Daimler failed because there was a small oil leak from one of the rocker cover gaskets. The Jaguar had just been completely refurbished underneath (new steering rack, springs, bushes, shocks, etc., etc.) and failed on a moulding mark on one of the rack gaiters!!!!!!!!!! The tester said that it was "split". Both cars are looked after by a Jaguar specialist who normally has the MOT testing done "in house". As he is refitting his garage at the moment, all the MOTs are done by a garage in Barnstaple and virtually all the cars he has submitted have failed for simliar very trivial problems. My conclusion is that the test has become ridiculously bureaucratic. Every car is assumed to be brand new. Imagine what will happen when the air bag systems are included: many many perfectly good cars will be scrapped.  Having said all that, I still think that it is a good idea for an independent inspection every year. This may show up problems that the owner has overlooked. What does need to be done though is to apply a little "common sense". You cannot expect a classic car to be perfect in every way. My TA14 drophead is done by my local garage and is treated much more sympathetically. If anything needs adjusting (such as the headlight aim), this is done during the test. I will be very interested to hear comments from other members. Posted by DavidMJS 24/05/2012 18:06:46

What will happen in the case of newly restored cars? They will still be subject to the VOSA(?) inspection before takling to the road I assume? Posted by Angus D'Arcy-Drake 25/05/2012 08:57:35

I have already stated some of my concerns on the old bulletin board, which are largely repeated here. I have taken all my old cars (1960's British classics) and my prewar Alvis to one garage for MOTs for the last 25 years.  The garage knows that I know the cars better than they do, I often point out areas of concern to them and we are under the car together during the test. I greatly value the expertise, the second opinion and greater general automotive knowledge. I use one car, a 1962 Austin Healey 3000 as my main transport, covering 10,000 miles a year, often at high speed on motorways. I saw a very similar car to mine (1959 Healey 100/6) for sale on Ebay which boasted that it would never need another MOT. To think it could turn into a legal rustbucket doing 100mph, ahem sorry 80mph (soon perhaps), without any inspection other than the owner is worrying.  Even my 1936 Alvis can do 80mph, but at least there are few of them and being able to keep it going needs some knowledge or access to a knowledgable garage. I feel the MOT exemption age should have been at least prior to 1939. However, the exemption is now announced, but I am sure there will be stiff penalties if a car involved in an accident is found to be under par. I wonder if it may be possible to take the exempt cars to a testing station for an inspection, even if no actual MOT can be issued, to demonstrate, in the event of an accident, that the car has nevertheless had a regular "professional inspection". Posted by g7psz 02/07/2012 21:13:32

Please remember the car still has to be road legal.. i.e. it is subject to the road side test and if it is dangerous will be removed etc...  The owner HAS to make sure that the car still functions in accordance to the road legality guidelines.. all they have dropped is the annual inspection Posted by Eaurougeuk 05/07/2012 20:05:29

I do not know what happened to "consultation" on this subject as there seem to be more people in favour of some kind of regular examination by a third party than in favour of the proposed relaxation!  I served an apprenticeship and gained City and Guilds Technicians certification, and yet I still welcome the opportunity to discuss any potential problems on my car on a regular basis before an Inspection certificate is issued.  I fear insurance companies will use this lack of a regular inspection as another excuse to wriggle out of paying up for accident damage or write-offs!  What is wrong with an "MOT Lite" covering only chassis condition, brakes, lights and steering and taking just 30 minutes?     Phil Robertson (AMIRTE Retired) 3861Wa Posted by Silver Eagle 17/08/2012 20:53:47

I am presently putting my Alvis through a regular MOT. The garage owner (Alvis trained ~ that shows his age) has strong feelings on this and other relaxed legislation and therefore offers a reduced price inspection along the lines of MOT but without the certificate. Posted by davefwatt 08/09/2014 17:50:18