We start this week’s post with a debate, it’s well worth the read and please vote and leave your comments or thoughts for us, we want to know what you think.
News:
The Department for Transport in the UK has announced that classic cars more than 40 years old will be exempt from MOT testing as from May 2018, with owners voluntarily electing for an MOT if they feel their car needs one. Currently, only cars from before 1960 are exempt, which represents 197,000 cars on UK roads. The new rules will exempt a further 293,000 cars from MOTs, (Ministry of Transport Test). The thinking behind the decision, according to the Department for Transport, is that these cars are “usually maintained in good condition and used on few occasions”. The decision also eases concerns that garages may not be adequately testing cars over this age, as the modern MOT applies less to cars of this age. The new date would also bring the age of cars exempt from MOTs in line with the exemption of road tax. The Government dismissed concerns that these cars pose a greater risk of failure than modern ones; cars registered in the interim period between the old exemption and the upcoming exemption have a substantially lower rate of failure than the national average. “We consider the element of risk arising from taking vehicles over 40 years old out of the testing regime is small. The option for owners to submit their vehicles to a voluntary MOT test will remain and they will still, like all vehicle owners, need to ensure that they meet the legal requirement of keeping their vehicle in a roadworthy condition at all time.” Passing of an MOT is defined as “Vehicles subject to the MOT test will normally
be considered “fit for service” when they have passed the test and have been issued with a pass certificate (VT20/VT20W) dated after the date of the prohibition notice issue. ”
We have been trying to find an exact definition of “Roadworthiness” and found this: Roadworthiness or streetworthiness is a property or ability of a car, bus, truck or any kind of automobile to be in a suitable operating condition or meeting acceptable standards for safe driving and transport of people, baggage or cargo in roads or streets, being therefore street-legal.
Yet that still does not define what roadworthy is and is rather vague to say the least. We know our police constabulary will make something up to if they want to pull you over anyway. If you are pulled over for this reason ask the exact reason and get them to write it down. Perhaps they know something nobody else does!
The best we could come up with for the full definition is this from the governments own website:
“For the purposes of subsection (1) above a motor vehicle or trailer is in an unroadworthy condition if—
(a) it is in such a condition that the use of it on a road in that condition would be unlawful by virtue of any provision made by regulations under section 41 of this Act as respects-
(i) brakes, steering gear or tyres, or
(ii) the construction, weight or equipment of vehicles,. . .
[F2(b) it is in such a condition that its use on a road would involve a danger of injury to any person].” This last section proving the most interesting. Yet is is still not definitive!
Of the 2217 respondents consulted for the proposal, more than half supported the suggested annual or biennial roadworthiness test for 40-year-old vehicles, checking the cars’ identity, brakes, steering, tyres and lights. The DfT has rejected this approach, saying: “Those owners who feel an annual check is needed will be able to submit their vehicles for a voluntary MOT.” A stronger majority voted against exemption of vehicles aged 30 years or older from MOT tests; the DfT sided with the consultation on this proposal, citing accident data as well as the strong negative reaction from the public to this suggestion.
At Mustang Maniac we STRONGLY suggest that your classic car is tested, for peace of mind and safety. We know that our customers are all conscientious owners and drivers and will still get their cars checked.
What do you think, were they right or wrong?
Trophy Time:
A couple of weeks ago a car show The A602’s Autorama was attended by most of the Mustang Maniac supporters and it was a good turn out. To cap it all Lance won a trophy for the “Stock as a Rock”. Needless to say he was happy even though the weather got worse as the day went on. Well done to lance, that cleaning made all the difference. 🙂
Heads Up:
We continue from last week’s post about blocked water ways. Adam has had a set of heads reconditioned and have been stored away.
these heads will be of interest for concours guys out there with these codes.
Clearing Out:
Adam found this “Y block” and two-speed Powerglide transmission on a pallet. This was removed from a 1957 Country Squire.
Adam only “found” the engine and drive train after moving this part car out of the way.
Mustang Maniac 
I think that all cars should be tested, all be it considering the age and use of the vehicle. I will still get my car checked as i want to know its all OK.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We agree with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Certainly a minimum standard is required, assuming the correct guidance is given to those testers who may never have seen a car of that age!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A good point, many Mustangs fail for steering play by inexperienced testers. In fact that “play” is normal and expected.
LikeLike
Agreed, many modern requirements simply don’t fit with classic cars. Training again. A classic car test is required we think.
LikeLike
thanks for this important information…great blog as always! If like many of Mustang Maniac’s customers who already get their cars checked each year and that process continues then it’s not much of an issue. The worry is with those who think they can now save money and time and ‘assume’ everything is ok. Our lovely old cars need a qualified eye put over them on a regular basis. My old car will still make its annual visit to the Wizards at Mustang Maniac who can continue to work their charm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another good example. People who own these cars are responsible and want to protect their cars and make sure they don’t fail and crash. Unscrupulous sellers may not MOT the car, and the buyer is unaware of the dangerous state. Perhaps the cars should have an MOT when being sold. We suspect all our customers will continue the annual check ups.
LikeLike
I took part in the consultancy and I agree testing is the best way to keep things safe or at the very least the clubs could possibly provide a service leveraging classic car experts such as yourself?
LikeLiked by 2 people
That must have been interesting to have been a part of all that decision process. Like you say, we will seriously suggest the cars are checked every year. At least it will highlight any potential issues and keep the cars safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not sure how much they listened 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This one is a worry too – https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2017/09/22/european-union-considers-existential-threat-that-court-ruling-poses-to-motorsports/?refer=news
LikeLiked by 1 person
That doesn’t make good reading either. The world has gone mad!☹️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I live in the US so this argument does not involve me directly but I think tha all cars that will be driven if only gnltly and occasionally should be checked for basic safety items. If they poop out because of non-safety reason like fuel or, oil or radiator issues, well, “Pay me now or pay me later.” is a bit of good advice from your local mechanic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed, a minimum of a safety check every year. Like you say oil or water etc shouldn’t be an MOT failure unless they cause issues with safety, like oil pouring out when revved up. The cars are old and will be subject to these common problems.
LikeLike