Historic without current MOT

[dc]

Since a good few of us now have our bikes registered (LC or otherwise 😚) as historic vehicles, there may be times when your MOT has lapsed if you don't want to get one every year.

If you check status on the link below you will see a red warning with wording that the vehicle may be MOT exempt. This site purely shows MOT history and whether one is current or not.



www.gov.uk/check-mot-history?step-by-step-nav=03763056-11e4-43be-a203-45daab596a87


If you check on the following link for tax status, if taxed and all things are correct you will see this. Both boxes are green, there is no MOT result because your bike is over 40 years old. You have confirmed it's not had any substantial changes and you have been able to tax it accordingly.
*see following posts re changes but it will not alter the results for the MOT status and the interpretation , misinterpretation / mis understanding of them which is the main reason for the thread. ie, Which you may experience if pulled over. Not necessarily the modification side of things which is a side issue.



www.gov.uk/check-mot-status


This might be handy to know should you need to explain the situation to anyone.


As an extra, there is a useful letter which I think is worth carrying with you because there is still ambiguity as to what the situation is over the status of a vehicle if the MOT appears lapsed.

Here is the link to download it.

www.tr-register.co.uk/uploads/2019/04/10/DVLA-statement-on-declaration-with-Press-Release-23.01.19.pdf


With different Post Offices etc., I know it has not been easy for some to even get their vehicle registered but once you have done it, it's best to understand the situation so you can explain it if asked.

I will just add this is only my understanding of it, please don't treat this as gospel. I have just listed these things so you can get a better understanding of what is shown where.

[rigga]

Substantial change criteria doesn't apply to motorcycles.

[dc]

I've seen that mentioned before posted, by yourself I think. There is a section on the V112 that covers it under the definition.
I cannot remember if I had to tick anything online regardless at my renewal.
Do you know of any other source stating motorcycles are excluded, the more information available, the better for those it may affect

The reason I posted this is because there can be ambiguity about the status of your vehicle and as such, one can encounter being questioned, I have witnessed it.

Regardless of whether the changes part apply to motorcycles or not, any checks will still provide the same results and if the person who performs a check doesn't understand the information or relays it incorrectly, it helps to have an understanding of a lapsed MOT so you can discuss it in a knowledgeable manner.

[jon]

Well all I can say on modifications is for my first hybrid I was sent a historical logbook automatically without even asking. Second one done at the post office and wasn’t asked about any modifications.

Jon

[dc]

I've found the site where I obtained the download from. The part about the MOT causing a problem can be seen as you read down. There is also mention of mods which although may be overlooked for bikes, there is no harm in having a read.

It's the MOT part that led me to the site when I was looking and hence the suggestion of the letter and why I thought that might be good for members here.


www.tr-register.co.uk/article/2019/05/0185/MOT-Exemption-of-Historic-Vehicles-a-warning-from-the-FBHVC

[rigga]

As it says in that article, the government has produced guidelines , to help owners in the process of declaring their vehicle's to be historic or not, depending on the substantial modification criteria they have decided on.

As with everything the government, or civil service get involved in, it's never clear, or as easy as it should be.