There seems to be a firming up on the definition of a modified vehicle qualifying for Tax and MoT exempt(Vehicle of Historic Interest - VHI )
Again, as for the qualification for Tax Exempt, this is applied for by the Owner of the vehicle.
(I did pick up that initial application for Historic reclassification will only be done at the PO in future)
In the majority of cases application for MOT exempt there is a clear process - if your Vehicle is classified as an Historic Vehicle the next tax reminder you get after 20th May 2018 will ask if you want to declare MOT exemption and you confirm that the vehicle has not been substantially modified in the last 30 years ( since 1988 and rolling) and you want it to be reclassified as VHI.
The guidance clearly states:-
that modification done pre 30 years ago will not effect qualification for VHI
• changes that are made to preserve a vehicle, which in all cases must be when original type parts are no longer reasonably available;
• changes of a type, that can be demonstrated to have been made when vehicles of the type were in production or in general use (within ten years of the end of production);
• in respect of axles and running gear changes made to improve efficiency, safety or environmental performance;
• in respect of vehicles that have been commercial vehicles, changes which can be demonstrated were being made when they were used commercially. t
The generalised NO-NOs seem to be:-
A vehicle will be considered substantially changed if the technical characteristics of the main components have changed in the previous 30 years, unless the changes fall into specific categories. These main components for vehicles, other than motorcycles2, are:
Chassis (replacements of the same pattern as the original are not considered a substantial change) or Monocoque bodyshell including any sub-frames (replacements of the same pattern as the original are not considered a substantial change);
Axles and running gear – alteration of the type and or method of suspension or steering constitutes a substantial change;
Engine – alternative cubic capacities of the same basic engine and alternative original equipment engines are not considered a substantial change. If the number of cylinders in an engine is different from the original, it is likely to be, but not necessarily, the case that the current engine is not alternative original equipment.
All this still begs the questions as laymen are we qualified to decide if we have a legitimate VHI?
If you bought a modified vehicle with no audit trail how do you know when it was done?
The can of worms wont be opened until you have an accident - what will the insurance people make of it.
If it turns out you declared it met the criteria for VHI and after vehicle inspection VHI is invalid - will insurance also become invalid?
Link to DVLA Guidance
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... idance.pdf
Also link to FBHVC News which seems to suggest they may be setting up an advisory body of "experts" to help validate VHI claims
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... idance.pdf
Thats my assessment for what its worth - no doubt there will be lots more to say
Looks like The Red Baron will still need an MOT - I would still have had it tested for safety anyway