News Published on : 27-Sep-2021 17:45:45

Exclusive new data from the DVSA has revealed 18.4 per cent of classic cars aged over 40 years old failed MOT tests despite there being no legal obligation for owners to have one carried out. Obtained via a Freedom of Information request by bookmygarage.com the data showed 121 204 classic cars aged over 40 years old voluntarily had an MOT test between January 2019 and June 2021. Since May 2018 cars aged over 40 years old (classed by the DVLA as historic vehicles) have been exempt from MOT tests and road tax though owners are still responsible for keeping their vehicles in roadworthy condition. Failure to do so can result in a fine of up to £ 2 500 and three penalty points. The reasons behind voluntary MOT tests being carried out likely stems from owners or perspective buyers of classic cars seeking reassurance that the vehicle is in a safe condition. In addition any cars which have been substantially modified in the last 30 years will also still legally require an MOT test. Of the cars tested Dodge had the highest failure rate with over half (55.2 per cent) failing followed by BMC (Austin-Morris) at 39.3 per cent and Volkswagen at 31.9 per cent. However numerous renowned manufacturers also had clean sheet records with zero recorded failures including Bentley Wolseley Saab Peugeot Opel Toyota and TVR. The DVSA data showed newer classic cars were more likely to fail than their older counterparts as 1970s cars are three times as likely to fail than those from the 1950s. In 2020 just 41 000 historic vehicles were tested down 32 per cent on 2019 due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.