Any one have any idea? This was posted on a local VW group saying the rules changed on 10th March.
This might be worth knowing if you have a buggy or other kit/modified VW. So on the 10th of March, with no public announcement I am aware of, the rules changed about MOT exemption. In the past if the vehicle was over 40 years old, registered as historic and had no substantial changes in the last 30 years it was MOT exempt. The 30 years bit has gone. so it is perfectly possible that you set off on a trip driving your old historically modified vehicle, and half way through that trip on the 10th of March you went from driving legally to driving a vehicle on the road with no MOT. The rules as they stand now are on this link.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/historic-classic-vehicles-mot-exemption-criteria/historic-classic-vehicles-mot-exemption-criteria--2?fbclid=IwY2xjawQiuFNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFDcGxGUUVBSE5rSHhnbjJBc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHt8VTo2si-eGJ2PTWH1cucNNm28hjhRqyIfse6raDLWZAnIhZzlEOJjFNXhh_aem_WBe-VS306O1X-jOUXlQi0Q (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/historic-classic-vehicles-mot-exemption-criteria/historic-classic-vehicles-mot-exemption-criteria--2?fbclid=IwY2xjawQiuFNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFDcGxGUUVBSE5rSHhnbjJBc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHt8VTo2si-eGJ2PTWH1cucNNm28hjhRqyIfse6raDLWZAnIhZzlEOJjFNXhh_aem_WBe-VS306O1X-jOUXlQi0Q)
Have a look at the thread in Buggy Box
https://www.beachbuggy.info/index.php/topic,15813.0.html
Just for clarification, in case people are still unsure
When the rules were re-written a few years ago, the phrase that followed was "Radically altered in its Visual Appearance"
And that meant that EVERY BUGGY NEEDED AN MOT
The 30 year rules that followed applied to Factory production cars only - Not kit cars, not Custom Cars, Not modified cars
Nothing has changed in our world, but you do need an MOT on a Buggy ;-)up
Quote from: Dave DND on March 15, 2026, 03:18:00 PMJust for clarification, in case people are still unsure
When the rules were re-written a few years ago, the phrase that followed was "Radically altered in its Visual Appearance"
And that meant that EVERY BUGGY NEEDED AN MOT
The 30 year rules that followed applied to Factory production cars only - Not kit cars, not Custom Cars, Not modified cars
Nothing has changed in our world, but you do need an MOT on a Buggy ;-)up
"Radically altered in its Visual Appearance"?
If only any of them had actually used that expression if that's what they meant while having their secretive discussions in their smoke filled rooms and gentlemen's clubs.
Us plebs only had what they actually published to go on...mind readers we are not... >:( >:( >:(
My buggy does have Historic tax, is a kit conversation and has had no substantial changes since 1978 and yet apparently I've been an outlaw since 2012 ;D ;D ;D
This is still in the notes on the back of the current MOT exemption declaration form...
(https://i.postimg.cc/XJw7Hr02/Screenshot-20260314-083958-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9RQhzF0T)
Rather than take a paragraph, try reading the whole document in context >:(
It does refer to vehicles that have been substantially changed / modified / whatever.
If you read that document also, it has never ever mentioned that a Q plate would ever be mot exempt either.
Everybody has just made that assumption.
Yes, your vehicle may not have altered in any way since 1978, but in 1978 it was not classed as a standard unmodified production vehicle either, therefore you have never qualified as MOT exempt.
So with the money you have saved over the last umpteen years, you can now afford to MOT it ;-)up
That whole document is invalid and illegal as there is no Welsh translation commonly available ;D ;D ;D
We'll have to agree to disagree Dave, my conscience is clear though and the money I've saved will certainly pay for my new screen wash pump, a tin of brake cleaner and the test fee... ;-)up ;-)up ;-)up
A Q plate of kit if registered historic and not substantially modified in the last 30 years can be mot exempt according to their notes but the front page suggests they will never be. An mot is listed as a requirement for breakdown companies to attend unless exempt so just go on as we are.
Quote from: snoopy on March 15, 2026, 10:11:14 PMA Q plate of kit if registered historic and not substantially modified in the last 30 years can be mot exempt according to their notes but the front page suggests they will never be. An mot is listed as a requirement for breakdown companies to attend unless exempt so just go on as we are.
Where does it state that on the front page? I'm not seeing it?
(https://i.postimg.cc/fLwN4rwc/dvla-v112-form-print(0).png) (https://postimg.cc/mc6qCV1k)
(https://i.postimg.cc/9QY2x22G/v112-form-historic-vehicles-MOT(0).png) (https://postimg.cc/bZr4JKsJ)
Sure I spotted it somewhere but that post was typed early this morning awaiting a 02.40hr courtesy car pick up. Will breeze through the stuff when I have time.
Quote from: snoopy on March 15, 2026, 10:11:14 PMA Q plate of kit if registered historic and not substantially modified in the last 30 years can be mot exempt according to their notes but the front page suggests they will never be. An mot is listed as a requirement for breakdown companies to attend unless exempt so just go on as we are.
My understanding is that a Q Plate Un-Modified car "May" be exempt, but a Q plate "Modified" car would not, irrespective of not changing over the last 40 years.
Volkswagen had a stricter set of rules and regulations before a car could hit the road way back when, and although ours are probably in just as good if not better for the modern road conditions, we simply dont have the Construction & Useage Certification that the original Manufactures had, and therefore all of ours are in the class of Modified Cars. The V5 date only refers to registered keeper date, and not the conformity of the car itself. Shame the powers that be are making such a pigs ear of conveying this.
ie: a Q plated VW Beetle may qualify, but a Q plated Kit Car would not as its classed as as Modified
The one I cannot fathom out though is a Baja ?
Quote from: Dave DND on March 16, 2026, 11:18:53 AMThe one I cannot fathom out though is a Baja ?
A Baja which still has an unmodified chassis, original style suspension and axles, and original type engine and transmission (even if altered in capacity/ gear ratios etc) is a VHI as far as I read the rules. Doesn't matter what has been done to the body within reason. It is still recognisable as a Beetle to anyone who knows what a Beetle looks like, so not radically altered in its appearance.
Quote from: TonsOfFun on March 16, 2026, 04:54:49 PMQuote from: Dave DND on March 16, 2026, 11:18:53 AMThe one I cannot fathom out though is a Baja ?
A Baja which still has an unmodified chassis, original style suspension and axles, and original type engine and transmission (even if altered in capacity/ gear ratios etc) is a VHI as far as I read the rules. Doesn't matter what has been done to the body within reason. It is still recognisable as a Beetle to anyone who knows what a Beetle looks like, so not radically altered in its appearance.
Totally agree ;-)up
FYI though, when I was shouting at DVLA all those years ago, the guys didn't know what a Classic Beetle was and had never heard of the films with Herbie in ::)
Quote from: Dave DND on March 16, 2026, 06:00:08 PMQuote from: TonsOfFun on March 16, 2026, 04:54:49 PMQuote from: Dave DND on March 16, 2026, 11:18:53 AMThe one I cannot fathom out though is a Baja ?
A Baja which still has an unmodified chassis, original style suspension and axles, and original type engine and transmission (even if altered in capacity/ gear ratios etc) is a VHI as far as I read the rules. Doesn't matter what has been done to the body within reason. It is still recognisable as a Beetle to anyone who knows what a Beetle looks like, so not radically altered in its appearance.
Totally agree ;-)up
FYI though, when I was shouting at DVLA all those years ago, the guys didn't know what a Classic Beetle was and had never heard of the films with Herbie in ::)
[ :-\ :-\ :-\ there is a simole answer hands up who wants a job at DVLA
Quote from: snoopy on March 17, 2026, 05:31:39 AM[ :-\ :-\ :-\ there is a simple answer hands up who wants a job at DVLA
That's all the country needs, an organisation that is 99% computer based being run by a bunch of septuagenarians
;D ;D ;D
Quote from: Manxdavid on March 17, 2026, 08:10:16 AMseptuagenarians
Of course I know everything that there is to know, but for those wondering, I can confirm that Google also know what this word means
8)
Quote from: Dave DND on March 16, 2026, 06:00:08 PMFYI though, when I was shouting at DVLA all those years ago, the guys didn't know what a Classic Beetle was and had never heard of the films with Herbie in ::)
It's startling how fast these things can change. Even just 20/25 years ago anyone who knew anything about cars (and many who knew nothing) would instantly recognise a Beetle. I'd have thought that the Lindsay Lohan Herbie movie would have increased visibility a bit, but even that is 21 years old now! How many youngsters in the DVLA wouldn't even know who Lindsay Lohan is? ;D
:'( I just had to google Lindsay Lohan
Quote from: TonsOfFun on March 17, 2026, 10:07:03 AMQuote from: Dave DND on March 16, 2026, 06:00:08 PMFYI though, when I was shouting at DVLA all those years ago, the guys didn't know what a Classic Beetle was and had never heard of the films with Herbie in ::)
It's startling how fast these things can change. Even just 20/25 years ago anyone who knew anything about cars (and many who knew nothing) would instantly recognise a Beetle. I'd have thought that the Lindsay Lohan Herbie movie would have increased visibility a bit, but even that is 21 years old now! How many youngsters in the DVLA wouldn't even know who Lindsay Lohan is? ;D
YEP.... I remember my first trip from up my way (North East), down to Newquay , Cornwall, in my first car....a Beetle. This would be 1970 or 71 and I kid you not I had to stop putting my hand up to wave back at Beetles, Campers, Type 3`s due to an absolutely aching wrist. Anybody remember the big grin you got as you tootled past each other ? There was a vinyl sticker of a hand you could plonk on your windscreen. Jut a different world and mindset back then..(Newquay used to be heaving with humanity during the summer).
Quote from: EL Presidente on March 17, 2026, 09:22:29 AMQuote from: Manxdavid on March 17, 2026, 08:10:16 AMseptuagenarians
Of course I know everything that there is to know, but for those wondering, I can confirm that Google also know what this word means
8)
Sorry, sometimes we slip on and out of speaking Welsh without knowing it ;D ;D ;D
According to this post i found earlier Q plates do not need an MOT as previously stated in the update
(https://i.postimg.cc/65y1hNKY/A304ABB4-FC41-4998-B13F-0A4F6EE73E11.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9rHpWKr7)
(https://i.postimg.cc/8CByCpdC/E5F055E9-BCEA-4480-BB98-522489828812.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XZqKH0zM)
HCVA tell me that they've been doing a lot of negotiating behind the scenes and that the gov.uk website will be updated soon.
Ignore the so called "changes" info the dept of transport issued. It is, in the main, incorrect. The statement that further changes would be forthcoming was made prior to the release of the last rubbish. It`s still simple... No change to historic status has been made. However there are individuals in the system that have always wanted further clampdown on historic taxation, q plate uncertainty and so on. Just keep on buggying, smiling, enjoying.
One thing that came to light e few weeks ago. An actual case. If anyone who has joined the AA as cover for a buggy breakdown, or any other classic vehicle, your policy with them is void if the vehicle has not got a current mot showing on DVLA records. (Of course this will be like dvla...... some folk will get lucky some won`t.).
Quote from: Paul1953 on April 22, 2026, 07:43:09 AMOne thing that came to light e few weeks ago. An actual case. If anyone who has joined the AA as cover for a buggy breakdown, or any other classic vehicle, your policy with them is void if the vehicle has not got a current mot showing on DVLA records. (Of course this will be like dvla...... some folk will get lucky some won`t.).
I'm into old bikes, one of my old-bike riding mates was refused AA attendance because his MOT-exempt machine did not have an MOT. He found this out after a couple of hours waiting for AA attendance. Worried by this, I spent hours on the phone to the AA who said they are very well aware of Historic Vehicle status and its MOT exemption, their call handlers and guys on the road should know this and this situation should never happen. This was a couple of years ago - I'm surprised but not surprised that this is still happening! I'm wondering if they've forgotten to tell some AI system which handles calls through the app.
Quote from: Paul1953 on April 22, 2026, 07:43:09 AMIgnore the so called "changes" info the dept of transport issued. It is, in the main, incorrect. The statement that further changes would be forthcoming was made prior to the release of the last rubbish. It`s still simple... No change to historic status has been made.
I'm sorry Paul but I'll be waiting for the official edit of the DfT announcement before dismissing it all as incorrect or rubbish.
They seem bound to repeal at least some of the March 10th changes but there's no guarantee that they'll back track on all of them.
No changes were made to Historic tax class but many were made to the (entirely different criteria) VHI MOT exemption.
They also included the bizzare expression 'spark-ignition (petrol)' engines as being MOT exempt which doesn't seem to have any meaning anywhere.
Please remember though that all of our Buggy's will not be eligible for any changes to the Q reg exemption though as we are already disqualified due to being a Kit Car / built on a chassis / visual appearance / etc etc - these rules and changes will only apply to STANDARD Q plated cars and not us.
What on earth is a Spark-Ignition Petrol engine though that required a new definition? :-\
Quote from: Paul1953 on April 22, 2026, 07:43:09 AMOne thing that came to light e few weeks ago. An actual case. If anyone who has joined the AA as cover for a buggy breakdown, or any other classic vehicle, your policy with them is void if the vehicle has not got a current mot showing on DVLA records. (Of course this will be like dvla...... some folk will get lucky some won`t.).
I have just renewed my AA family cover which includes an M.O.T exempt car and motorbike. The terms state that the vehicle must have a valid M.O.T. if required. A historic vehicle does not require one. I've never had the need to call them out but I hope that they wouldn't try to wiggle out of it if I did.
Quote from: TonsOfFun on April 22, 2026, 09:55:42 AMQuote from: Paul1953 on April 22, 2026, 07:43:09 AMOne thing that came to light e few weeks ago. An actual case. If anyone who has joined the AA as cover for a buggy breakdown, or any other classic vehicle, your policy with them is void if the vehicle has not got a current mot showing on DVLA records. (Of course this will be like dvla...... some folk will get lucky some won`t.).
I have just renewed my AA family cover which includes an M.O.T exempt car and motorbike. The terms state that the vehicle must have a valid M.O.T. if required. A historic vehicle does not require one. I've never had the need to call them out but I hope that they wouldn't try to wiggle out of it if I did.
I`d do a bit of Googling and you will soon find that many Breakdown services are either refusing to attend for non MOT vehicles, and some now even sending an invoice afterwards as it breaks the terms and conditions they set - ie: all vehicles must have mot for service cover
Just because a Historic vehicle does not require an MOT, the Breakdown services insist that in order to use their service, it must have one - Their rules !
I cannot believe how much time and effort is being put in to trying to understand this issue. If I had a bloke from "the ministry" stood at the MOT garage saying "don't bother your buggy doesn't need it" I'd still get it done.
If I was in the market for a buggy (or any regular classic car) and the vendor said it's not had a MOT because it is doesn't need one then I'd be likely to walk away, or at least insist that one was done.
Too much overthinking ;D ;D
I have up on getting MOTs as soon as I could after spending half an hour once explaining to a tester how torsion bar suspension worked, why taper roller wheel bearings and steering boxes needed a little play and why red rear and white front indicators and no seatbelts were fine on a pre 65 chassis. And paying for the privilege.
Quote from: Manxdavid on April 22, 2026, 01:27:46 PMI have up on getting MOTs as soon as I could after spending half an hour once explaining to a tester how torsion bar suspension worked, why taper roller wheel bearings and steering boxes needed a little play and why red rear and white front indicators and no seatbelts were fine on a pre 65 chassis. And paying for the privilege.
Was offered a fail once as my catalytic converter wasn't working properly
Quote from: Buggybaggy on April 22, 2026, 11:58:44 AMI cannot believe how much time and effort is being put in to trying to understand this issue.
Amen to that one :-X
Agreed...... ;D
It used to be simple...
Fewer than 8 points = IVA test
Registered 40+ years ago = free Historic tax
Historic tax and no substantial changes in the past 30 years = MOT exempt if you so choose.
Then they buggered everything up for the sake of simplicity :D ;D ;D
I notice that overnight the part of the .gov website regarding MOT exemption has reverted back to how it was pre 10th March, ie vehicles with Historic tax class (so by default 40+ years old) and not been 'substantially changed' in the past 30 years can once again be considered to be MOT exempt if so desired.
"Historic (classic) vehicles: MOT exemption criteria - GOV.UK" https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/historic-classic-vehicles-mot-exemption-criteria/historic-classic-vehicles-mot-exemption-criteria--2
(https://i.postimg.cc/t4NV725H/Screenshot-20260507-090219-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/FY1KBb8P)
Brilliant - even more confusion ::)
Ignore all the recent publicized stuff and you will probably be in the right ballpark...
Quote from: Paul1953 on May 08, 2026, 08:03:47 AMIgnore all the recent publicized stuff and you will probably be in the right ballpark...
I'd sooner go by what is currently down in black and white on the .gov website thanks.