DfT releases MoT rules

The criteria that marks a classic as being ‘substantially changed’ – ie. not MoT exempt – has been released.

According to the Department for Transport (DfT), a vehicle will be considered substantially changed if the technical characteristics of the main components have changed in the previous 30 years. The changes will be introduced when cars made more than 40 years ago are exempted from roadworthiness testing in May.

These main components comprise chassis, axles and engines. Replacements of the same pattern chassis and bodyshells that are original will not be considered substantially changed, but alteration of of suspension or steering will constitute substantial change.

Alternative cubic capacities of the same basic engine and alternative original equipment engines are not considered substantially changed.

There are some caveats, however. Cars that have been issued with a ‘Q’ prefix registration number will still need to be put through roadworthiness tests, as will kit cars assembled from components taken from different makes and model.

However, if any of the four above types of vehicle is taxed as an historic vehicle’ and has not been modified during the previous 30 years, it can be considered as a Vehicle of Historic Interest, and thus exempt. tinyurl.com/ccwsubstantialchange Don’t miss next week’s issue, out on 3 January, for our full analysis.