MOT for vintage cars
Normally, all cars on the road must be MOT approved. But vintage cars aged 50 years or older do not have to be inspected. Oldtimers of 30 years or older do not have to go to the MOT as often. Oldtimer insurance is always required.
Getting classic car insuranceVintage cars over 50 years old exempt from MOT requirement
Since Jan. 1, 2021, cars that are 50 years old or older no longer need to undergo MOT testing. Previously, this only applied to cars built before Jan. 1, 1960. People with a car 50 years or older will receive a letter from the RDW stating that they are exempt from the MOT inspection.
In 2020, the Senate approved an amendment to the Road Traffic Act to exempt cars aged 50 years and older from MOT requirements. First, this only applied to cars manufactured before Jan. 1, 1960. Now a limit of 50 years is used instead of a year.
Check when the MOT expires
The RDW checks the register daily. You can use the RDW license plate check to see for yourself when your car's MOT expires.
Limit of 50 years
Many vintage cars aged 50 years and older are owned by enthusiasts who maintain the car very well and drive it relatively little.
Moreover, many MOT inspectors often do not have the proper knowledge to perform an MOT inspection on cars of such age. Therefore, 50 years was chosen when setting the limit.
Inspection frequency by age
How often a vintage car must be inspected depends on the year of manufacture of the car:
Vintage cars over 50 years old: exemption from MOT inspection
Oldtimers between 30 and 50 years old: MOT inspection once every 2 years.
Vintage cars under 30 years old: annual MOT inspection.
Terms
A number of conditions apply:
- The weight of the car must not exceed 3500 pounds, otherwise the annual inspection requirement applies.
- Heavier pre-1960 cars are exempt from the MOT, however.
- The MOT remains mandatory for old cabs, ov cars and ADR (hazardous materials) vehicles, due to the function of these types of vehicles.
Rules when suspending
Failure to comply with the inspection requirement is punishable by law. If your vintage car does not comply with the MOT, you can suspend the license plate. During suspension, APK is not mandatory.
You can also make sure your vintage car passes the MOT within 2 months. During that time, you may only drive to the garage. A vintage car with suspended registration plates does not need vintage car insurance.
Event regulation oldtimers
Vintage car events are organized regularly. There is a special event regulation for oldtimers if you want to participate. Based on the event regulation, you may drive your oldtimer to an event once, without a valid MOT.
You must register for the event and this registration must be approved by the event organizer. Then you may drive the vintage car to the event.
Getting classic car insurance
A vintage car is a precious possession. After all, you don't buy a classic car to drive it every day, but to look at it, maintain it well and take an occasional drive. As a proud owner you therefore arrange the best old-timer insurance for your beautiful car.
Compare and calculate your premium
Calculate your premium with our online comparison tool for vintage car insurance. After filling in a few details about yourself and the vintage car, choose the desired coverage for your insurance and you will immediately be shown the top 5 cheapest providers. This way, comparing only takes a few minutes of your time.
Frequently asked questions about MOT for vintage cars
Why does the MOT exemption apply from age 50?
The limit of 50 years was chosen because many vintage cars of that age are used as a hobby and are well maintained. In addition, many inspectors have limited knowledge of such old vehicles, making the MOT less reliable for this category.
Which vehicles are always subject to MOT despite their age?
Cabs, ov cars and ADR vehicles are always subject to MOT, regardless of their age. This is due to the intensive or high-risk nature of their use, which is subject to stricter safety regulations.
Is vintage car insurance required with a suspended license plate?
With a suspended license plate, old-timer insurance is not mandatory. In that case, the car may not be driven on public roads and does not have to be MOT-tested. As soon as the suspension ends, insurance and MOT must be in order again.
How can I compare and purchase vintage car insurance?
Comparing vintage car insurance is easy online. Enter some information about yourself and your car, choose the desired coverage and immediately check out the cheapest providers. This way you can quickly and cheaply conclude the right insurance for your oldtimer.
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