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Historic (Classic) Status Application
GaryM - 21/5/21 at 10:30 AM

Hi Guys

Does anyone have any advice on progressing an DVLA application to have my 7 changed to Historic/Classic status?

I sent my request (along with V5) to them 6 weeks ago and have heard nothing back. For the last 2 days I've been trying find out whats happening (via calling 0300 790 6802 and using the chat service). The phone lines seem constantly busy and the chat route invariably ends up with the agent suggesting a need to call the 0300 number!

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Cheers
Gary


gremlin1234 - 21/5/21 at 12:48 PM

I thought you had to do it at the post office, when taxing the car.

https://www.gov.uk/historic-vehicles/apply-for-vehicle-tax-exemption

it used to be done at dvla local offices, but changed to post office when local offices closed.


GaryM - 21/5/21 at 01:22 PM

I guess if it's not a kit the process may be more straightforward and be able to be done at the right PO.

My car was finished/IVA'd/registered in 2007 but qualified to be registered with a 'W' plate by virtue of the number of parts reused from the donor (a 1980 Escort).

From previous discussions on the forum I had hoped this made it eligible for classic tax free status and this was confirmed by an agent at DVLA when I called them to ask over 2 months ago. He also advised the application would need to be processed at DVLA so i duly sent off my V5 and a covering letter.........


chillis - 21/5/21 at 05:11 PM

You probably haven't heard anything as I think you're about to find out this is wrong.
To have historic status the vehicle must be substantially unchanged, so unless this is a 1980 Ford Escort it wont apply. Your car was first registered in 2007 having been built of parts from a 1980 donor so things like exhaust emissions relate to the age of the donor, but not the entitlement to historic status.
So you'll be entitled to historic possibly in 2047.

[Edited on 21/5/21 by chillis]


cliftyhanger - 21/5/21 at 06:06 PM

I think this is indeed correct. Unless you can prove build date (by a proper document, eg British Motor Heritage Certificate) they will use date of registration.


perksy - 21/5/21 at 09:40 PM

As above

Its 'substantially changed' so I don't believe it will qualify

A friend has an MGB, but it has a Nissan 200 turbo engine in it so again doesn't qualify as an historic vehicle as its 'substantially changed'


Westy1994 - 21/5/21 at 10:57 PM

Just to confuse matters a wee bit.

I emailed a good friend today and asked how he got on with his own attempt at getting a 1980 Spitfire with a Rover V8 in it regarding the historic status, he emailed back and told me he got the full qualification of both tax and the MOT exemption. I personally think this was a mistake by DVLA, since it should only have qualified for the tax bit and NOT the MOT as well. He is a lucky boy.

Also regarding kit cars , including those with Q reg's , if you read carefully the official sites you will see that that it may qualify as long as none of the substantial changes ( listed on the Gov site) have been made in the last 30 years but only as far as the tax is concerned, even if you did get the tax exemption it seems that it will still need a valid MOT every year. Though quite how you prove no changes have been made I don't know.


CosKev3 - 22/5/21 at 04:00 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Westy1994
Just to confuse matters a wee bit.

I emailed a good friend today and asked how he got on with his own attempt at getting a 1980 Spitfire with a Rover V8 in it regarding the historic status, he emailed back and told me he got the full qualification of both tax and the MOT exemption. I personally think this was a mistake by DVLA, since it should only have qualified for the tax bit and NOT the MOT as well. He is a lucky boy.

Also regarding kit cars , including those with Q reg's , if you read carefully the official sites you will see that that it may qualify as long as none of the substantial changes ( listed on the Gov site) have been made in the last 30 years but only as far as the tax is concerned, even if you did get the tax exemption it seems that it will still need a valid MOT every year. Though quite how you prove no changes have been made I don't know.


It's down to the owner if they MOT the car or not when it's got historic status, he needs to MOT his as its had a engine change to a engine that was never fitted to that car as standard.

There is only one type of historic status,you don't get a choice in tax free,or needs a MOT etc,its just historic status that's it!


CosKev3 - 22/5/21 at 04:01 PM

quote:
Originally posted by GaryM
I guess if it's not a kit the process may be more straightforward and be able to be done at the right PO.

My car was finished/IVA'd/registered in 2007 but qualified to be registered with a 'W' plate by virtue of the number of parts reused from the donor (a 1980 Escort).

From previous discussions on the forum I had hoped this made it eligible for classic tax free status and this was confirmed by an agent at DVLA when I called them to ask over 2 months ago. He also advised the application would need to be processed at DVLAs so i duly sent off my V5 and a covering letter.........


As above no chance of historic status on a car registered in 2007!

Your V5 states first registered 2007?

[Edited on 22/5/21 by CosKev3]


CosKev3 - 22/5/21 at 04:06 PM

quote:
Originally posted by perksy
As above

Its 'substantially changed' so I don't believe it will qualify

A friend has an MGB, but it has a Nissan 200 turbo engine in it so again doesn't qualify as an historic vehicle as its 'substantially changed'


It would get historic status,the substantial changes part is only relating to MOT exemption.

He would get historic status with no VED to pay, but would still need to MOT the car


chillis - 26/5/21 at 09:35 AM

quote:
Originally posted by CosKev3
quote:
Originally posted by perksy
As above

Its 'substantially changed' so I don't believe it will qualify

A friend has an MGB, but it has a Nissan 200 turbo engine in it so again doesn't qualify as an historic vehicle as its 'substantially changed'


It would get historic status,the substantial changes part is only relating to MOT exemption.

He would get historic status with no VED to pay, but would still need to MOT the car


The issue here is whether any part of the Chassis or Body unit is modified to fit the later engine. If so then it could result in the original identity being withdrawn due to the body mods being classed as substantial (using DVSA definition of substantial changes) then the car would have to be IVA'd and thus awarded a new (age related) registration date - Its 40 years from date of registration not from the date of the donor. The date of the donor is only relevant at the IVA test for certain things like emissions.


CosKev3 - 26/5/21 at 11:22 AM

quote:
Originally posted by chillis
quote:
Originally posted by CosKev3
quote:
Originally posted by perksy
As above

Its 'substantially changed' so I don't believe it will qualify

A friend has an MGB, but it has a Nissan 200 turbo engine in it so again doesn't qualify as an historic vehicle as its 'substantially changed'


It would get historic status,the substantial changes part is only relating to MOT exemption.

He would get historic status with no VED to pay, but would still need to MOT the car


The issue here is whether any part of the Chassis or Body unit is modified to fit the later engine. If so then it could result in the original identity being withdrawn due to the body mods being classed as substantial (using DVSA definition of substantial changes) then the car would have to be IVA'd and thus awarded a new (age related) registration date - Its 40 years from date of registration not from the date of the donor. The date of the donor is only relevant at the IVA test for certain things like emissions.


Again that's only relating to MOT exemption, no where is it stated for tax exemption about any changes to the vehicle.