FRENCH CLASSIC ROADWORTHINESS EXEMPTIONS CHALLENGED

Historic vehicles in France could end up excluded from the country’s equivalent to our MoT, known as the Contrôle Technique (CT), provided they were built before 1960. If approved, CT ‘technical inspections’ for these classics would not be needed from next year. However, the Fédération Française des Véhicules d’Epoque (FFVE), the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs’ (FBHVC) French counterpart, strongly opposes the move. In a statement released to newspaper Le Figaro, it argued ‘benevolence’ through exemption would be open to abuse. “It risks encouraging some motorists to neglect their duty of maintenance,” a spokesperson explained. French cars require CT inspection when they turn four years old – and are examined to requirements less stringent than current UK MoT requirements. French classics more than 30 years old receive a ‘vintage vehicle’ grey card – meaning CT examinations only need to take place every five years. The FFVE’s position is in stark contrast to the Federation’s stance on pre-1960 roadworthiness testing; historic vehicles of this era have been MoT exempt in the UK since 2012, with many owners voluntarily submitting their car for roadworthiness checks.On the other side of the Channel, the FFVE is pushing for a simplified yearly CT inspection instead: Costing around 40 euros, the sympathetic CT test would concentrate on the safety critical items on the car (body, axles, brakes, steering and others) in exchange for a small reduction in yearly insurance premiums.