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MG MGA - UK roadworthiness testing

For those of you with views on the future of historic vehicle roadworthiness testing in the UK, the Dept of Transport has issued a consultaion document on future arrangements. Comments/suggestions are invited. Its worth reading to see what might happen.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/554763/historic-vehicles-consultation.pdf

One section, 1.13, attempts to define a VHI (Vehicle of Historical Interest). I am not sure what is meant by original. Although my MGA I think tots up enough points it's close as the engine, transmission, steering are all replacements. I doubt much of the front suspension has ever seen Abingdon either. Does original = part fitted when the car was made or is a pattern part OK.


Malcolm
Malcolm Asquith

I think our Government's counter proposal of a minimum of 40 years is preferable to the EU's 30 years.

But definition of 'substantial change' by reference to DVLA's 8-point rule doesn't make sense to me not least because my car has a replacement frame and I could never amass the 8 points needed to avoid periodic testing. Clearly changing the original but defective frame with a s/h replacement, to the original dimensions, is going to improve roadworthiness.

In these DVLA rules the word 'original' should be changed to 'original design' (and I would gain 6 points immediately!!)

I also think that an MOT test or equivalent should be mandatory if a VHI (vehicle of historic interest) has been given a SORN for a continuous 5 years or more. I would hate to see for example 'barn finds' or similar of 40 year old cars being allowed on the roads without any testing whatsoever.

There are only six days left now to make a response to the consultation document.

................Mike
Mike Moore

Interesting that I posted a reference to this about three weeks ago and it attracted no comments what so ever. At the same time a similar reference on the Spridget site accumulated nearly 200 posts.

If this proposal is accepted in it's current form the suggestion is that vehicle testing will continue to be not required for vehicles of 40 years old or more. However those vehicles need to be confirmed as Vehicles of Historic Interest ("VHIs") and that is where the problems will start because the check list is quite onerous. Body modifications seems to the sticking point.

The European Directive (which is the driving force behind this proposal) also refers to a VHI as being "hardly used on public roads" and so there is a veiled suggestion of limiting the annual mileage of a VHI. Although no figure has be included the concept of 1000 miles seem to being talked about.

If you don't get VHI status then you just have "an old banger" subject to all modern rules and regulations.

I personally believe the way forward is to accept all vehicles should have an MOT consistent and sympathetic to their age and am prepared to accept that in return for the scrapping of the VHI concept (Option 1 in the proposals). In reality there would be a big benefit for the Government in avoiding the costly process of inspecting all vehicles to ascertain whether they accumulate the 8 points needed to qualify.

The closing date for comments is November 2nd.
Graeme Williams

Malcolm-
My guess is that by "original" they are not talking about correct engine numbers or factory production original body panels, etc. I think they are mainly looking to disqualify cheesy kit cars, as well as exact reproductions, made recently. Ever talk to someone with a MG TD kit car, or 427 Cobra reproduction? They will tell you flat out that it is a '53 MG TD or a '65 Cobra. They may even have acquired a Title from a dead '53 TD for their VW powered "MG-like thing." As nice and accurate as a well done Cobra reproduction made in 1995 might be, it is not "original."

Some of the reproduction Cobra's, for instance, are pretty much exact reproductions, and so Mikes idea of the wording "original design" might force their inclusion unless somehow otherwise excluded. And what about accurate 3/4 size reproductions that are of (shrunk down) original design?

Then you also have cars that were altered significantly way back when the car was new or a few years old. A special body that looks nothing like the production car from which it was made, and/or significant performance modifications. Say a '57 MGA that was completely re-bodied after purchase or a crash, and then in '63 had a GM 215cid V8 installed? Is that not an Historic car? In a sense it is "original" as it was created way back when. Is it any less "Historic" than the standard production car it is based on? Seems like use of "original design" would exclude such cars.

D mckellar

This thread was discussed between 27/10/2016 and 28/10/2016

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