New MOT legislation and more...

[rhd racer]

It seems to be leaning towards 'historically significant' rather than 'historically interesting', with a real impact on our favourite form of modifying; engaging with points of interest in history and recreating them.

Imagine car shows having all the fun sucked out of them - one real RSR/RS/ST/Mexico/Twin Cam etc surrounded by a sea of Q plates. Takes away all the mystique of 'is it, isn't it?'....

And think about the disputes with the DVLA where the unscrupulous try to pass of clones as the real thing to use as a sign of it being genuine for the purpose of resale!

All very depressing, so off to Shelsley to give the car a good spanking....

[Lightweight_911]

I've never understood why they don't scrap the 'road tax' & just collect it via fuel tax - much fairer sytem (& no way of avoiding it).

[KS]

Graham, if your car was converted to RHD just 22 years ago, then strictly speaking it will lose its right to historic status because the monocoque has been substantially altered. That's five points straight away. The engine's been changed, another point, and so on – arguably not enough to stop IVA test. If the car had only had an engine swap, then it would be eligible to retain its historic status and retain the registration number without a problem, but it would have to be MOT'd.

What got it going again, you ask? Well, it's not a case of 'again' as it hasn't gone away. The (in)famous Bugatti replica situation was no help, but the legislation was on the horizon already courtesy of the EU and UN (yes, the UN).

What will happen is that when you come to tax your car on line, you will be asked if the vehicle is (eligible to be) MOT exempt, which under the new rules, it won't be. You will need to explain why and then get directed to the BIVA process.

A lot of info is here: https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-approval

[C3s]

It's also something to do with 80's cars being 2x more involved in accidents than 60's ones. Years may be out a bit. Read it earlier today

[911hillclimber]

Yes, I think it's BIVA for me if this gets passed.
And I did a nice job on the rhd conversion, still sound after 24 years. Safer IMHO.

Perhaps sell up and dump the classic car world, modern Porsche's are far better!

Recon my 911 today is worth less than 30k.....

[911hillclimber]

Just read a case study by a guy with a real hot rod and his IVA day experience.
This was a home built hot rod, no original old Ford parts.
He failed at first, but all down to his build.
The worry is the emissions.
When I take the 3.2 in it will be tested to modern standards so I will need cats!

£450 to test....

Need to find some one to talk to about this lot.

[smallspeed]

Friendly mot tester is key - my z4 (2007) doesn't pass unless the cats are GLOWING hot yet the e30 is nearly the same levels with no cats

[mdmax72]

Graham,

if you can prove the age of your engine is prior to emission tests or cats you won't need the latter.

Your case study chap most likely had a modern v6/v8 engine, in which case he would need cats. It's a cheaper option to have a modern v6/8 and back date it. Rather than have an old v6/8 rebuilt. Main problem with IVA and hot rods is proving the age of the engine. Dvla have a large section on this alone.

[sisu]

I always thought that the no road tax and no MOT was a bit of false economy. Of all the cars that would fail an MOT it would be an older car. I am sure no one was going to argue the road tax opt out, in fact alot of older cars have been sold on this.

Are modifications done before 1988 better than restorations now? Also the broad brush of modifying or repairing a monocoque over 40 years that wasn't measured or graded, but now is seems a bit shite.

On the bright side the IVA doesn't look that scary most of this is clear and not ambiguous as the 8 point aspect is.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... get-a-pass

[simon james]

So presumably IF I bought a LHD Jaguar XK150 and converted it to RHD, I'd be fine.
The dashboard stays the same, the pedals and steering column move across and the original steering rack comes apart and re-assembles slightly differently to give RHD.
Chassis and body untouched and original steering just in a different order???

[911hillclimber]

I think the bolt on lhd to rhd on E Types and TR5s etc are all ok.
My rhd conversion used Porsche panels but involved cutting and welding, floor pan mods etc to do it.
All works, passed MoT for 20 pad years, but now deemed a significant mod.

I'm still really angry about this pile of tat from this government on classic cars.
I think a think tank from the Ministry of Ag and Fish drew up the proposal.

When you read what the car has to comply with to pass the BIVA many modified cars will have troubles, no plastic windows a allowed, IVA side mirrors and interior mirror, all e marked and much more.
And a bill for £450 too for the test.

[Fuchs915]

So what does this mean for my soon to start 356 homage build? I have a 72 Beetle, which will require the chassis shortening, and the plan is to use the original engine, beam, steering, gearbox and brakes. Engine will be tweaked at some stage (1300 to 1600, twin carbs, balanced bottom end and a warmer cam). I think I am OK on emissions as I have the current V5 and engine number, but would this be Q plated? Sounds like it to me, but thought I would ask those with more knowledge.
Thanks
Kevin


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KS]

Yes, IVA and probable Q-plate. In the hot rod world, people are being advised to regard a Q as a sign of 'Quality' as it shows the vehicle is 100 per cent legal. A good philosophical way to look at it.

If you do get a 'Q-plate' you'll be in very good company soon as all the high-end 'continuation' models from the likes of Aston Martin and Jaguar etc which rely on a donor vehicle to create a 'new' Zagato or XKSS, etc, which have until now retained the identity and historic status of the original will now find themselves having to submit their cars for IVA and then wear a Q-plate. I see a batch of these cars suddenly being registered abroad...

[haasad]

So my 56 Healey. Stock body sans bumpers, stock suspension with modern bushes, later but Healey gearbox, stock axle with later but period type diff', wider wheels, later but period is front brakes and a modified fast road motor still on SU's but alloy headed etc.
Stays on its period reg historic tax (zero cost) but I have to MOT ....Yes ?

[KS]

It would appear that way, yes. Congratulations!