While a Government decision to scrap plans to make the general MoT test less frequent have been widely reported this week, consultations on a proposal far more relevant to classic owners are soon to come to an end.
In November last year the Department for Transport issued a paper proposing a complete exemption from testing for all pre-1960 vehicles. Other options being considered were complete exemptions for all pre-1945 vehicles and all pre-1920 vehicles, or to do nothing.
Given the short period of the consultation the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs promoted an on-line survey to gauge the mood of the classic hobby.
Since then more than 4000 people responded and the results are illuminating:
- 74% of respondents wish to see testing requirements for historic vehicles relaxed.
- 59% support the government’s preferred option of exempting all pre-1960 vehicles.
- 71% believe historic vehicles in commercial use should be subject to testing even if other pre-1960 vehicles are exempted; 14% said commercial use should make no difference to testing requirements..
- 53% of respondents said they would take their vehicles for test if this could be done on a voluntary basis; 33% said they would not seek a voluntary test.
Reasons given for opposing changes in whole or part included:
