MOT reforms will still leave classic car owners open to fines

CLASSIC car owners are at risk of fines, experts have warned, as new MOT rules mean thousands are exempt from the test, and could overlook problems.

Changes that came into force yesterday for cars in England, Scotland and Wales will make it harder for polluting vehicles to pass the test. However, the Government has exempted almost 300,000 cars over 40 years old from the annual test.

The change will affect vehicles such as E-type Jaguars as well as less wellloved cars including early models of the Austin Allegro and Lada VAZ.

Experts are concerned that drivers could be caught out. Clive Robertson, who specialises in classic car law for solicitor Healys, said: “It doesn’t mean the cars don’t need to be roadworthy, it just puts the onus on drivers.”

Fines of up to £2,500 can be levied on drivers of unroadworthy vehicles, as well as the issuing of three penalty points. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) introduced the change after a 2017 consultation by the Department for Transport.