Just exactly when is "tax-free?"

[jojax64]

Been watching a 1973 Mini on Fleabay. Contacted the seller who says..."Sorry, it's not tax-free".
Surely it should be...is it not just a hard-and-fast rule that it's tax free if over 25 years old?

[grumpygrandad]

I THINK 72 NOTHING NEWER OR ANY THING COMMING UP TO 25 NOW DOES NOT QUALIFY

[bigginger]

The rolling 25 year old = tax free was abandoned when Labour came in. I think it's now just pre 1973 vehicles - and it'll be a particular date in '73 too

LATER After a bit of Googling, turns out the car must have been "manufactured pre 1st January 1973."

[bmcecosse]

Thanks to Gordon Clown for this one - he who has no driving licence stopped the 25 year rule - but now only cars manufactured on or before 31 December 1972 qualify. Of course - car could have been made then - and could have lain in dealers showroom for some months (years !) before being first registered. So - if owner can prove it was made on/ before 31/12/72 then it will qualify. Heritage can supply the proof certificate - for a fee!

[mof]

As much as I distrust politicians, I think you'd have to say it was fair. The original idea was surely for genuinely old classic cars to be tax exempt. It was cheaper to do that than process the VEL refunds when cars came off the road for winter etc. It was never meant for any old banger that staggers to 25 yrs.

[stag36587]

If it's a 1973 registered car it's just possible that it could be tax free if built in late 1972.

[IaininTenbury]

Doesn't seem fair when you own a Feb 73 MGB, a Mar 73 Wolseley 6 and a 1975 Marina camper
I like the recent proposals to make it 30yr rolling exemption. Old enough to weed out the old bangers, but still encourages preservation of 'newer classics', though unlikely to happen with the present government.

[bmcecosse]

Other EU countries have the 25 year rule - where they even have 'Road Fund Tax' at all - many don't. We are quick enough to follow them when it suits us - but not when it doesn't.
I would think the MGB and the Wolseley may well qualify - have you checked up on the actual build dates Iain?

[IaininTenbury]

I have and the MGB misses out by about a fortnight, and the Wolseley by three months. there's about a week between build date and registering on both of them. Appears they sold like hot cakes!

[tortron]

here in New Zealand the vehicle must be at least 40 years old (rolling date). Also we only get a cut rate

[keef]

the Wolseley by three months. there's about a week between build date and registering on both of them. Appears they sold like hot cakes!

Strange; my Six was registered in Mar 1973 but built in Dec 1972. :-

http://www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk/ ... ax-exempt/

I'm still trying to get DVLA to acknowledge this fact!