Ironhead UK only - 40 year's MOT exemption rule

[Andy Hog]

Hi,

my bikes turns 40 next year. Will it become exempt from the MOT & having to pay road tax?

TIA,

Andy.

[harley506d]

I'd have a look on DVLA's website. A test center will know about the mot side of it.

[davixlrtt]

Andy, you’re bike has to have been registered between the 1st and 7th of January 1980 to qualify as tax exempt for a historic vehicle, if the date of its first registration is after this you will have to wait until April next year to register for tax exemption. You’ll still have to go through the motions of taxing it every year but there will be no fee.
MOT on the other hand will be exempt for bikes 40 years or older so unless your machine has been modified or significantly altered it should qualify. You will need to fill in form V112.
.......Davi.
Ok, I just realised that your bike won’t be 40 years old until next year so I suppose it’ll have to have been registered between the 1st and 7th of Jan 1981.

[the yukon sizzler]

My 1980 XLS was registered on 1/1/80, so tried to change it to historic at the local post office only to be told it won't qualify until april 2021, effectively meaning it will be 41 yrs 4 months.....go figure.

[bretton]

I wouldnt rely on what the post office tells you they can be a bit clueless about this in my experience . Check direct with DVLA . My understanding was that there is some leeway re the date of registration into the first week of the year as has been said . A bike registered 1st january 1980 must have been manufactured in 1979 and that should be what counts . Good luck .

[davixlrtt]

Originally Posted by bretton

A bike registered 1st january 1980 must have been manufactured in 1979 and that should be what counts .

Yes, I agree.
......Davi.

[Andy Hog]

Thanks, that information is very helpful.

Andy.

[Ferrous Head]

I myself would be very suspicious of any bike registered on the 1st day of any new year.

Almost worldwide the 1st of January is a public holiday. How many public servants work on a public holiday ?

(This is despite the fact that the Government servants cannot be expected to count past 10.)

[XL-Novice]

Hi Guys.
I run a heavily modified chopper that is classed as a historic vehicle. It was never tested by VOSA for type approval.
I had an accident one evening when i run over a dog that was off the lead.
I had no problem with the insurance company or DVLA.
When you insure a chopper they want to know everything about it.
That's just my take on the rules