Question on mot

[moonsdrift]

I appreciate this may be simple question but I genuinely do not know, I have a modified escort mk1, 1973 running a 2000 pinto, 5 speed box and a lsd rear end, this was modified about ten years ago.
“Do I need to mot the car?
I see many similar cars on eBay and they all say “tax and mot exempt”

I assume my escort requires a mot and all these adverts for cars are wrong, is this correct?

[meXEco]

As I believe it any car over 40 years old does not require an MOT now-I think its a stupid idea and would always get my car MOT'd just for peace of mind and safety.

[waverunner]

I totally agree ^ a fresh set of eyes looking at your car, and from underneath is a piece of mind. My Mex could be mot exempt but I choose to still mot it, after a total bare shell re-build the only thing the mot guy could find was I’d put the front wheels on the wrong side regarding the directional tyres

[moonsdrift]

I agree, I have no problem getting it mot’d but my understanding is if has been substantially modified from original it has to be mot’d, so why do most modified cars over 40 years old and for sale say they are mot exempt?

The point I am making is this ‘misrepresentation,

[wildo105e]

I think and may got shot down in flames as it is a really touchy subject. To be MOT and exempt you need to be within the 8 points system. So if you cannot get 8 points it is substantially modified ?

Further experts add in.

[Ken B]

I think and may got shot down in flames as it is a really touchy subject. To be MOT and exempt you need to be within the 8 points system. So if you cannot get 8 points it is substantially modified ?

Further experts add in.

8 points system and substantially modified are two completely different things and the points is nothing to do with the current MoT rules. Its all on the Government website.

[stevieturbo]

Did it not have to be totally standard to be MOT exempt ?

It's not a hard test to pass anyway, especially for an older car.

[Graham]

It's not a hard test to pass anyway, especially for an older car.

thats the bit that gets me, lots of stuff that newer cars have to comply with doesnt apply to old cars, so realistically the major parts of the test are,
the brakes work, its structurally sound and no knackered suspension bits, with legal tyres, those are something which if any car cant comply with then it really really should not be on the road

[davemk1]

Agreed. As enthusiasts we should know whether our cars would or wouldn't pass the mot.
I'm confident that mine would pass but for about a pound a week I'm still going to get a second opinion.

[katana]

Worst mistake ever IMO - Road tax - zero rate on 40yr old car I understand but not MOT exemption! I have seen many cars get a fail on brake efficiency due to a seized / sticky caliper / minor leaky cylinder - it sneaks up on you slowly and you don't notice it especially comparing a 'classic' against a modern metal - you push the pedal a bit harder 'cos thats normal with older brakes'! Anyone who says they 'know' their car is 'tip-top' without testing it, is fooling themselves! Is saving 1/2 a cup of tea a week that important, to avoid knowing?

[Ken B]

Did it not have to be totally standard to be MOT exempt ?

No is the answer to that. There are certain things that do not count it as being substantially modified, even some engine changes. Info is all out there on the Gov website.

[Mk2esccy]

Does the car need to have had a recent MOT or can it be pulled out of storage and declared MOT exempt

[katana]

No - age and declaration of exemption but (as I understand) the reg. doc. needs to be marked 'Historic'

[Ken B]

No - age and declaration of exemption but (as I understand) the reg. doc. needs to be marked 'Historic'

Yup and all can be done at the local PO using form V112 and you can even change tax class there if it isn't the correct one.