There is a misconception when it comes to cars that old means classic. It’s not quite as straight cut as that.
So, when does a car become a classic? Contradictory to the above, they are generally older cars, but there’s more to it than that. Is the car collectible? Is it rare? How is it used?
There are many factors involved to truly make a car a classic.
For example, a 1994 2.2 Renault Laguna is old, but it’s not a classic.
That’re more due to the vehicle not being rare or collectible and not necessarily the age.
Like many other things in insurance, some vehicles can be looked at on a case by case basis.
Again, as an example, a newer car may be used in a similar style to an older classic. It may be used on a very limited amount of mileage to go to a couple of shows a year and spends the rest of its days in storage or locked away in your garage. It may be highly collectible and rare and, in those cases, may suit a classic insurance policy.
Different Types of Classic Car Insurance
At Brentacre we have a modified classic scheme which will cover for the more heavily modified classics but will have the same use as a standard classic.
Our standard classic policies would allow for such modifications as fitting modern brakes on a 1932 Ford Model B.
There is also such thing as a modern classic car insurance scheme. These are normally collectible vehicles that will, at some point, become a classic. These would have the same sort of use restrictions as a normal classic; Limited mileage, kept in storage or garaged.
Even though these vehicles wouldn’t be your daily driver, in some cases it is possible to use them for commuting, but this would be for very minimal commuting such as popping into the office on a Sunday (not driven on peak days at peak times) or maybe driving into work on a Friday ready to go straight to a weekend car show.
Something that is good that comes with having an older vehicle and that’s road tax.
When Does a Classic Car Become Tax Exempt?
As of 1st April 2018, vehicles made before 1st January 1978 will be exempt from paying tax.
Along with being exempt from paying tax, vehicles over a certain age are also exempt from requiring a MOT.
Just to provide some clarity to this bit you do not need to get an MOT if:
- The vehicle was built or registered more than 40 years ago
- No “substantial changes” have been made to the vehicle in the last 30 years, for example replacing the chassis, body, axles or engine to change the way the vehicle works.
If you’re not sure if there have been any substantial changes you should be able to speak to a historic vehicle expert. For further information on this, we highly recommend that you check out the DVLA website.
Still looking for your dream classic? carandclassic.co.uk should have what you need.
