Classic cars becoming tax and MOT exempt in 2023 including BMW and Ford - full list

A number of classic cars will soon become exempt from tax and MOT.

This is because once they reach 40 years old, they no longer legally require an MOT test and are exempt from Vehicle Exercise Duty (VED) under the historic vehicle tax exemption scheme.

Owners of 10 vehicles can apply for the exemption from April 1 2023 as long as they were built before January 1983.

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According to the Express, this means that vehicles first launched in the UK in 1982 will be joining the list of eligible vehicles this year. Cars first registered in 1982 will have a registration number that ends in the suffix X or Y.

Despite there no longer being a requirement for an annual MOT test, owners are still legally required to ensure their cars is in roadworthy condition or risk being fined or receiving penalty points for driving a vehicle with a safety-critical defect.

For example, an illegal tyre can result in a fine of up £2,500 and three penalty points per illegal tyre. In 2021, research by BookMyGarage.com found that one-in-five classic cars which underwent a voluntary MOT test failed it.

They become exempt after 40 years. (Getty 2023.)

The UK's leading vehicle MOT, servicing and repairs price comparison site obtained data from the DVSA via a Freedom of Information request which showed more than 120,000 cars aged over 40 years old underwent a voluntary test between January 2019 and June 2021.

The research also revealed the classic vehicle makes with the highest MOT failure rates, with Dodge, Austin-Morris (BMC), Volkswagen and Land Rover respectively ranked as the worst performers.

Classic cars becoming tax and MOT exempt in 2023

From most common to rarest, the list consists of the following:

1. BMW 3 Series (E30) - 4,000 estimated to be remaining in roadworthy condition
2. Ford Sierra - 2,500 estimated to be remaining in roadworthy condition
3. Porsche 944 - 2,200 estimated to be remaining in roadworthy condition
4. Volkswagen Polo (Mark 2) - 1,600 estimated to be remaining in roadworthy condition
5. Reliant Rialto - 500 estimated to be remaining in roadworthy condition
6. Volvo 760 - 150 estimated to be remaining in roadworthy condition
7. Lotus Excel - 130 estimated to be remaining in roadworthy condition
8. Renault 9 - 90 estimated to be remaining in roadworthy condition
9. Austin Ambassador - 20 estimated to be remaining in roadworthy condition
10. Talbot Samba - 20 estimated to be remaining in roadworthy condition

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