New MOT rules.

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squire
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New MOT rules.

Post by squire »

It won't be long before all Minors could be exempt from having a MOT, however, there still needs to be better clarification if a Minor that's been modified has been substantially changed and will still need a MOT.

In our case we have a 1960 traveller with standard 1098 engine but with type9 5 speed Sierra gearbox and Escort rear axle with discs up front, is this classed as substantially changed? :(
Also have a 1970 traveller with A+ 1275 engine and front discs, gearbox and axle standard, substantially changed? My own personal opinion from what I've read is that both could be declared MOT exempt from May this year but not 100% on this so just trying to get some clarification on the matter.

Martyn :roll:
SteveClem
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Re: New MOT rules.

Post by SteveClem »

I think that you will be mot excempt. As will I, I think. But I'll still get them mot'd because I value another opinion and trust my local garage.
squire
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Re: New MOT rules.

Post by squire »

SteveClem wrote:I think that you will be mot excempt. As will I, I think. But I'll still get them mot'd because I value another opinion and trust my local garage.
Thanks for the reply, hope to get a few more replies to confirm as well. Like you I fully intend to keep them both MOT'ed as I also value another opinion and my local garage is older car friendly, anyway you can't check the brakes properly unless you have a rolling road or one of the old decelerometers lol.
Blaketon
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Re: New MOT rules.

Post by Blaketon »

This has been covered here - https://www.mmoc.org.uk/Messageboard/vi ... 4&start=80 . So far as the engines are concerned, they are all of the same type (Doesn't have to be the same size) as the original, so would be OK. The gearbox and the brakes improve efficiency and safety, so again would be allowed. Mods done before 1988 are automatically allowed.
squire
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Re: New MOT rules.

Post by squire »

Blaketon wrote:This has been covered here - https://www.mmoc.org.uk/Messageboard/vi ... 4&start=80 . So far as the engines are concerned, they are all of the same type (Doesn't have to be the same size) as the original, so would be OK. The gearbox and the brakes improve efficiency and safety, so again would be allowed. Mods done before 1988 are automatically allowed.
Again, thanks for the reply, that's how I see it, it only gets different when K series engines and twin cams etc are fitted. Thanks for the heads up on topic, must have missed that one :roll:

Martyn
philthehill
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Re: New MOT rules.

Post by philthehill »

Until a few MOTs have been undertaken and comments made/noted I personally would not presume anything.
Phil

les
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Re: New MOT rules.

Post by les »

So far it seems everyone is going to carry on getting an mot, so what's with all the questions? :roll:

squire
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Re: New MOT rules.

Post by squire »

les wrote:So far it seems everyone is going to carry on getting an mot, so what's with all the questions? :roll:
It could be that some people are worried in case their cars MOT runs out ie, forgot about it or they just want to stretch the MOT a month or two or maybe 18 months depending on mileage and cost. They want to know if they're still ok to drive it as the MOT is technically lapsed, although we all know that the registered keeper must keep the car roadworthy.

At the end of the day imho all vehicles should have an appropriate MOT that is relevant to the vehicles age.
philthehill
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Re: New MOT rules.

Post by philthehill »

Les
I would suggest that until people have had their cars MOT'd (if that is the route they choose) especially those that are on the fringes of substantially modified that questions will continue to be asked.
Phil

ianmack
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Re: New MOT rules.

Post by ianmack »

As I see it the problem would come with a double negative. If a car is modified beyond exemption from testing, but the owner doesn’t get it tested, how would this be detected if there is an assumption of exemption by age.

How many modern traffic cops know an a series when they see one?
ManyMinors
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Re: New MOT rules.

Post by ManyMinors »

And, come to that, when did you last see a traffic cop at all :-?
Blaketon
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Re: New MOT rules.

Post by Blaketon »

I will still get an MOT from time to time but by mileage (I think 1000 miles), rather than because twelve months have passed. It has made me think that all cars should be done by mileage; what about the modern rep's car, that could be doing 20 or 30000 a year? Would it not make more sense to test it every 10000?
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Re: New MOT rules.

Post by palacebear »

As I've said on previous threads regarding this subject. I'll continue to get Max tested annually. I'm of an age where rolling around beneath a car to check the integrity of brake pipes etc., no longer appeals. I'd rather someone else did it for me! :D
1956 4-door called Max
morris van
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Re: New MOT rules.

Post by morris van »

My dad used to do 100000 miles a year that's 10 MOTs a year and some used to do 150000 miles a year and would cost a lot of money each year. A friend has just sold his five month old Fiesta which had done 111000 miles and does not need its first MOT for another two years seven months.

Redmoggy
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Re: New MOT rules.

Post by Redmoggy »

As someone mentioned, until the new rules have been in use and better clarified I would suggest the onus be on the owner to research the appropriate rules appertaining to their particular vehicle. Likely as not time constraints will mean that most non specialist MOT testers will be unsure as to the letter of the law. As for the Police, they are not entirely stupid (though not always that bright). If they feel you are taking advantage of the new rules they will likely issue a ticket that requires your car to be checked by a VOSA agent. As is always the way this could cause you more trouble than it's worth.

Contact the relevant agencies yourself and confirm how any law changes will effect your vehicle, keep written copies of such rules in the glovebox along with some form of specification sheet. That way you can simply produce it at the side of the road and carry on.

Rod
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Re: New MOT rules.

Post by Sleeper »

An while talking of the new legislation,what would be the " latest " larger capacity transplant engine allowed ?
I suppose one would be limited to four cylinders , made by MG / Austin/ Morris ?

John :wink:
ampwhu
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Re: New MOT rules.

Post by ampwhu »

les wrote:So far it seems everyone is going to carry on getting an mot, so what's with all the questions? :roll:
not me, why would I want to pay for something I don't need or have to have? do you pay your neighbours council tax? you don't have to so you don't.

having owned/repaired/driven classics for over 30 years (like many others) I am 100% confident in my ability to have a roadworthy car. now I don't need some 25 year old NVQ mechanic (not very qualified) testing my car with no idea how it has been put together anymore, I am not going to.

it is a legal requirement for your car to be roadworthy before you drive it on the public highway whether its 3 years old or 33 years old.

some people just don't get it.
Blaketon
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Re: New MOT rules.

Post by Blaketon »

Whilst I am confident in my ability to look after my cars, I don't see anything wrong in a second (But valued) opinion now and then. As people get older, they can tend to regard all younger people as numpties and I suppose younger people can sometimes regard older people as fuddy duddies. I'm not interested in how old someone is; only that I trust their judgement and knowledge. It may well be that some, trained on newer cars, may have a better knowledge of electronic matters, than traditional fitting. It doesn't mean they are not very qualified, simply that they are not qualified when it comes to older cars. How many mechanics, who trained during the 1960s and certainly the 70s onwards, fitted white metal main and big end bearings. My father still has my grandfather's bearing scrapers but we've never used them for that.

I am lucky, that the garage I use for MOTs, is run by two brother's, who have been in the business a long time (The older brother worked in the aerospace sector many years ago) and who have a small collection of classic cars (They have owned the Frogeye Sprite longer than I have owned my MG Midget and that's good as 34 years). I know of another local garage, run by a father and son, where much the same applies. I can't think of any other local places I'd be happy to use and it had crossed my mind about what I would do if ever these places closed. The answer now, following the change in the law, is trust to my own judgement and perhaps take it to a specialist from time to time, for a second opinion (But locally we don't have any and I wouldn't want to be tied in to it annually).
ampwhu
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Re: New MOT rules.

Post by ampwhu »

don't take my comments the wrong way here.

if your a person who knows nothing about cars, but likes and owns a classic (a minor for example) then it makes perfect sense to have the car serviced and tested at a good garage as you yourself wouldn't know if a part has deteriorated or failed on your car. I get that bit. but if your someone (like me and 1000's of others) who has rebuilt their car over the years and replaced almost everything at one time in the past, why would I pay someone to confirm what I already know when I don't have to? its no legal requirement for me to do this?

you don't take out 2 insurance policies on the same car of the off chance that one wont pay out if the worst was to happen do you?
morris van
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Re: New MOT rules.

Post by morris van »

I always do all my own servicing and 99% of repairs but I know some people who own classic cars who don't know one end of the car from the other. I also belong to the MG owners club and when I said I replaced the engine as the old one broke they could not believe I did it myself. They even have trouble checking the levels on their cars.

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