Classic car owners need to take watch, as the Ministry of Transport (MOT) has introduced a new update for 2025 that will see them affected. According to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), about 340,000 cars older than 40 are still in the possession of their registered owners. Up until now they have largely been able to escape the annual MOT road safety inspection, thanks to a current law stipulating that vehicles over the age of 40 are exempt. This is because they are considered to be generally well-maintained by their owners and driven so infrequently that they don’t require it. However, a new consultation by the Department of Transport has raised the question over whether these beloved classics should be subject to the yearly check. The proposition was met with a positive reception, with two in five respondents said they agreed with the plan for older models to be tested.

The survey received a sizable 1,083 responses, with a majority of comments suggesting that “a new type of check is needed” for the older cars. With regards to how the check should be carried out 18% of those surveyed said that the check should be the same or similar to the full MOT. One survey respondent said, “Yes an age and status-related ‘sympathetic’ style MOT would be useful, particularly for classic cars that are driven fairly regularly.” A further 10% shared this more lenient view, and said that classic cars should undergo a more basic check to ensure their safety.

A somewhat smaller percentage, 8%, said they wanted to see older vehicles go through the full MOT so long as it was appropriate for the car’s age. However, even those in this camp stated that there was no need for classic cars to undergo an emissions test, since older cars. One surveyed motorist noted: “A one-off safety check following major restoration or repair work would be appropriate. Individual Vehicle Approval is not suitable in this context.” Only 5% backed the introduction of an “ad-hoc inspection when vehicle is used on the road or following major restoration”, making it the least popular option.

The largest proportion, 36%, thought there was no need for the introduction of new MOT safety inspections for classic vehicles. However, this isn’t the only time that the issue of classic car inspections has been raised. The Federation of British Historical Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) has previously suggested that older cars should go through safety checks. In particular, they urged that models that have undergone "major restoration or repair" should be checked by mechanics before being allowed on the road.