Millions of classics could be banned from roads

[simona1]

Millions of modified and classic cars could be banned from the roads as meddling European Union try to shake-up MOT rules•'Ridiculous' proposals suggest that cars cannot be modified once they leave the factory
•Motoring organisations say most changes do not affect a car's safety and potential rule is completely unnecessary
•Changes that are made to make classic cars safer would be illegal
•If new rules implemented it could cripple industry and thousands may lose their jobs.
•Meddling Brussels bureaucrats want to make modified and most classic cars illegal under radical reforms which would affect millions of British drivers.
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The European Commission has proposed a shake-up of the MOT which could cost thousands of jobs and cripple the industry that deals with modifying cars.

Under its plans, all vehicles would have to remain identical to the specification they were in when they left the factory - which would mean classic cars could not even be updated with safer equipment.


The proposed new rules would mean any modifications - from different windscreen wipers to newer brake lights - would mean the car would automatically fail its MOT test.

•
The proposed changes would affect millions of motorists who spend billions of pounds per year modifying cars for safety purposes or as a hobby.

One of the suggestions outlined is that all 'components of the vehicle must comply with characteristics at the time of the first registration.

'This may prevent most modifications to vehicles without further approval of the vehicle.



A number of motoring organisations have now stepped forward to heap criticism on the EU’s 'ridiculous' proposals.

Vanessa Guyll, from the AA, said: 'We don’t want this and we’re very much against it.

'If every car with a modification was breaking down and having problems then that would be different but they don’t.

'Most modifications don’t affect a car’s safety. This would affect everything from changing a car’s wheels to fitting a bodykit.



'No one enjoys taking their car for an MoT but our system is pretty good. It would cost testing stations a lot and there is not much money to be made from an MoT. The plan is ridiculous.'

Barry Cornes, from the Association of Car Enthusiasts, added: 'The implications would be massive.

'It is unbelievable and it seems unworkable. You would need to know every minute detail about every model of car ever made.

'There would need to be a database for every car otherwise it couldn’t work.

'You can take an older car like the Jenson Interceptor and have it completely overhauled with modern components for £100,000. The inference is that it would then become illegal.

'Lots of older cars underwent modifications like brake lights and wipers to make them safer. They would be illegal. How is that possible?

'We think it is totally farcical. This is so frightening when you consider the amount of jobs which could be lost.

Potential disaster: Thousands could lost their jobs if the MOT shake up goes ahead

The EU also want to change the definition of a historic vehicle which would be exempt from an MOT.

It wants to exempt all cars more than 30-years-old from testing providing the vehicle 'has been maintained in its original condition, including its appearance'.

This is based on the vehicle having not 'sustained any change in technical characteristics of its main components such as engine, brakes, steering or suspension'.

Classic cars which don’t fit this criteria would then have to be subject to new regulations.

The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs is furious at this proposal and has labelled it 'unworkable and completely unacceptable'.

A statement from the FBHVC said: 'We reject the suggestion that Roadworthiness Testing should relate to a vehicle’s ‘technical characteristics’, whatever the age of the vehicle

'Modifications, alterations and improvements are all part of the history of the motor vehicles and the older the vehicle, the more likely it has been altered at some stage.

'There is no database of original specifications for UK vehicles, so testing to original ‘technical specifications’ is simply pie-in-the-sky.'

More than 28,000 people are employed in the historic car industry in the UK, with the FBHVC estimating it contributes £4.3 billion to the economy.

The UK Independence Party has been inundated with letters from concerned motorists, claiming to have had 'the biggest postbag in years'.

Ray Finch, press officer at UKIP, said: 'This topic is massive and it’s just another example of the EU interfering.

'It is a process of standardisation. Most people in Brussels are driven around in a brand new Mercedes so these things aren’t going to affect them.

'British people are known for their hobbies and people who enjoy classic and modified cars hate this. It is interfering for the sake of interfering.

'To anybody sane it is legislation for the sake of legislation and typical Brussels. They haven’t got anything else to do but make up some more laws. It’s a giant bureaucracy.'

The Department for Transport has now contacted 240 organisations and individuals regarding the proposals, with a large number expressing concerns.

It is now analysing the potential impact and says it will fight proposals which could affect people’s livelihoods.

A statement from the DfT said: 'This document is a proposal rather than final legislation.

'As such, all Member States will have the opportunity to negotiate the final legislation and everything within the current document may be subject to change.

'The Department has sought views on the proposals from the industry.

'We will be analysing the proposals to find out what impact they will have on businesses and motorists.

'We will question rigorously any provisions that imply costs for Government, people or industry and seek to minimise these. We will be taking an active part in the Working Group meetings starting this autumn.

'It is still far too early to comment on specifics of the legislation as a number of the proposals could be changed or dropped.'

[les]

The last sentence says it all. Why do these eu things keep getting posted, they start all doom and gloom and end up cancelling themselves out!

[jagnut66]

This kind of thing just underlines why I have voted UKIP every time since their inception.
They are not a wasted vote, they are an alternative and if enough people vote for them they could make a difference.
We don't have to be a two party state in this country. But it is up to individuals to make their vote count come election time.
Otherwise it's just going to be more of the same............... ending in a Brussels (/ German) led European superstate......
Then God help us.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

I'd like to see them try and ban me from driving my cars.

Unfortunately we pay millions of pounds a year to keep these morons in a job dreaming up such legislation.

So fitting seatbelts will be illegal under these proposed laws?

[les]

Read the last sentence, it probably won't happen but lets say it did----they would stop you driving your cars the same way they would stop others, by arresting you and taking you to court, and if you did it again you'd get a repeat response until you stopped or went to jail. You'd fight the law but the law would win!

[jagnut66]

Read the last sentence, it probably won't happen but lets say it did----they would stop you driving your cars the same way they would stop others, by arresting you and taking you to court, and if you did it again you'd get a repeat response until you stopped or went to jail. You'd fight the law but the law would win!

That doesn't make it right though......

[foofoournan]

This can't and won't happen.

[smithskids]

Don't worry, it will most likely be called a mistake, "Lost in translation" Ha, Ha, Ha, etc.

[biffa]

In my honest opinion despite only being 20 years old...

It's time we left the eu!!!!

only two weeks ago Ofgem were stating there's going to power shortages in 2015 with blackouts expected in 2016! millions of homes with power and gas, so expensive that nobody can afford it?! why.. because these morons in high places say "the U.K needs to low its emissions by ridding the country of what fuels most of it's power... Coal and Nuclear power stations. Making us go into wave and wind power. pffft, please. I really have a gripe with this kind of carry on.

now this? whatever next... if we don't pull out of the EU soon we'll have nothing left and be run these tin-pot napoleon's.

I doubt this will ever happen though, as I strongly believe these kind of things have to be invented to keep certain people in there jobs, so will soon be swept under the carpet until they get another kick up the backside to come out with more rubbish to keep there jobs again...

[chickenjohn]

In my honest opinion despite only being 20 years old...

It's time we left the eu!!!!

only two weeks ago Ofgem were stating there's going to power shortages in 2015 with blackouts expected in 2016! millions of homes with power and gas, so expensive that nobody can afford it?! why.. because these morons in high places say "the U.K needs to low its emissions by ridding the country of what fuels most of it's power... Coal and Nuclear power stations. Making us go into wave and wind power. pffft, please. I really have a gripe with this kind of carry on.

now this? whatever next... if we don't pull out of the EU soon we'll have nothing left and be run these tin-pot napoleon's.

I doubt this will ever happen though, as I strongly believe these kind of things have to be invented to keep certain people in there jobs, so will soon be swept under the carpet until they get another kick up the backside to come out with more rubbish to keep there jobs again...

You are spot on! Global warming and so-called "green energy" is just another EU scam designed to tax and control us. I am 47 and you are 20 and yet we share the same common sense opinion on these matters. There is hope if all of us wake up to this evil bureacratic EU oppression and stand up to it.

Let's get Britain back to being British again!

[biffa]

I've said it before, I'll say it again. If this countries reserves hit 4% and we all end up living in the dark if this country then left the EU and a state emergency was declared for people to go down the mines and such to get as much coal out as possible and get the country going again. I'd be one of the first down! give me the tools!

as for this "eco green frenzy" good god man, you only live once! you work hard, you pay taxes and such, why shouldn't you be able to have what you want (within reason..) if its a big 9.3 litre power house for a 500cc fiat 500. the choice should be the individuals who's paying for it (if they can afford it and within there means, why should we be dictated to?)

eco green... someone clearly needs a lesson in science and history - this heating and cooling situation has been going on for years! ice age. tropical weather, cools down - back to an ice age and so the cycle continues.

like you say above, it's just more garbage we at fed and lead to believe. there was a time when "Made In Britain" actually stood for many great things!

[Matt]

This was banded about some time ago too...

the U.K needs to low its emissions by ridding the country of what fuels most of it's power... Coal and Nuclear power stations.

I don't think so... Nuclear stations have no emission (apart from secondary transport etc) once they are up and running. Thats why there is a massive amount of money being spent in the 1st stages of a new build programme. (And they don't generate as much contaminated waste as you may think!)

[Alec]

Hello all,

politicians!
It was Mr Milliband who signed this country's agreement to reduce emissions, not only by the amount the EU wanted but by a larger amount, despite not having a clue how it can be achieved or even if it is technically possible. But recently he has been on his soap box about energy costs and how much the energy companies charge us. No mention of the increased cost of energy directly due to complying with emission targets.
Incidentally, despite all the media telling us how much profit they make, there is very little mention of their margin, which, if the Telegraph financial section is correct, is about 5%. For any small or medium sized business that is hardly a sustainable profit margin.

Alec

[chesney]

So fitting seatbelts will be illegal under these proposed laws?

Possibly radial tyres/polybushes/electric fans/diffs/halogens/seats too
What a heap of tosh - they can stick their no mod rule where the sun don't shine frankly..

[lambrettalad]

Every Great initiative,for the common good ends up controlling the way we live our lives

eg NHS set up to help the sick now tells you how to live what to eat ,what to drink ,what drugs you can have etc
police set up to catch criminals now tells you what time your local match can kick off

health and safety ..................well how long have you got

etc

I'm not saying it's all bad but there is a limit to interference in things that have very very little to do with government,

after all they have great difficulty in filling in their expenses forms

[MarkyB]

It's from the Daily Mail online, say no more really.

[Trickydicky]

It's from the Daily Mail online, say no more really.

Couldnt have put it better myself Marky

[les]

Are there millions of classic cars out there?

[lambrettalad]

so?

[welshrat]

New Messageboard section required I think, possibly called Politics & religion!