The MoT issue has been hanging over the classic world like a black cloud for the last few months, and now the heavens have finally opened; exemption for cars prior to 1960. I won’t bore you with all the details, or scaremonger about clapped-out deathtraps on every street corner, but I can still see difficult times ahead for the classic community.Though I am worried about the safety of these cars, my main concern is for the future of our hobby, in particular, the amount of new blood that we see coming into the community.
I know a little bit about cars, and a bit about buying dogs (through bitter experience!) And I can tell you the first prerequisite I have before handing over my hard earned is a full and valid MoT certificate. I have no interest in taking on restoration projects; I live 28 miles from the office. And to my mind, the MoT gives me an assurance that the car is at least solid. This would be even more important to me if I wanted to buy an older classic, as it’s out of my area of specialisation.
I know a number of people that are actively pursuing older classics, namely Austin Sevens. My concern is that, being far from experts, the unquantifiable condition of the cars may well put them off taking the plunge into older classic ownership. I’m hoping for the best, but expecting the worst.
GREG MACLEMAN
Staff Writer
