How old does a car have to be to be MOT exempt?
Wondering when a car becomes MOT exempt? We explain MOT exemptions in our guide
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By Tia Harrison-North
Last updated: 13 June 2025
If you’re treating yourself to a classic car or maybe something brand-new, you might be wondering ‘how old does a car have to be, to be MOT exempt?’.
MOTs are a legal requirement for cars in the UK, to ensure they’re safe and roadworthy. If your car requires an MOT but doesn’t have a valid certificate, you could be landed with a fine or points on your licence.
Read our full guide on when a car becomes MOT exempt to get the details.
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What does MOT exempt mean?
‘MOT exempt’ means you don’t have to take your car for MOT testing every 12 months, and you don’t need a valid MOT certificate to drive on UK roads.
This means you won’t receive a fine or points on your licence for driving without an MOT.
When does a car become MOT exempt?
A car becomes MOT exempt if it was built or registered over 40 years ago, and no substantial changes have been made to the vehicle in the last 30 years. This includes replacing the body, chassis, axles or engine to change how the vehicle works.
You’ll need to declare the car a Vehicle of Historic Interest (VHI) to make it MOT exempt. This can be done at a Post Office using a V112 form.
At this point, your vehicle will be eligible for free road tax. You’ll still need to tax your car – but there will be no fee to pay.
Do new cars need an MOT?
New cars don’t need an MOT test for the first three years after their registered. But once three years have passed, you’ll need to get an MOT test every 12 months to remain road legal.
Why are old cars MOT exempt?
Old cars are MOT exempt because their owners are generally passionate about their vehicle and usually hobbyists.
This means they’re likely to be taking care of the car’s mechanics and attentive to the types of issues that would usually show up on an MOT test.
The number of classic cars over 40 years old on the road is typically small, so there aren’t enough for this to cause a huge safety issue.
What other exemptions do classic cars get?
Classic cars over 40-years-old that are registered for the V112 exemption are also eligible for free road tax. You’ll need to make sure your vehicle is still taxed, but you can feel smug knowing it’s completely free.
All vehicles with historic tax class are also exempt form ULEZ charges, but you will still need to pay congestion charges if you enter a congestion zone.
Can I declare MOT exemption online?
You can’t currently complete a V112 form online but you can print the form at home.
You’ll then need to visit a post office that manages vehicle tax with the V112 form, your vehicle's log book (V5C), and vehicle tax reminder (V11) if you have one.
You’ll need to inform the Post Office clerk that you want to register your car as a ‘historic vehicle’
Once you’ve registered all the details with the Post Office, your car will become exempt from MOTs.
Explore car care at cinch
It can be tricky to get your head around how the MOT and tax system works in the UK, but we’ve got plenty of info in our guides so you can get to grips with it all. You can also visit our car care page to get the lowdown on looking after your vehicle.
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