Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi Paul,

I believe this is not the case in Holland. I had a couple here staying the other night....from what I took from what they were saying (mind you my dutch is not as good as it once was) its free after 25 years and from what I gathered they just use their cars...maybe I'm wrong, but I'm sure someone will come along and tell me different.

Onne wrote:These rules are not the same throughout the continent.

I know Belgium and France have a special carte gris (if I remember correctly) which makes the cars exempt from tax/ MOT.

You do however have the choice of having it registered as a normal car, thus usable for everyday use.

In Belgium all you need is a brake efficency test on historic vehicles.

Surely, though, if you register as useable for everyday use, instead of historic catogory then it's the same as all other vehicles - ie road tax payable which seems to defeat the UK going along those lines as no avantage for those of us who use older cars on a regular basis.

We have to follow Europe all the time - often when it's not in our interest.
Historic vehicle useage is yet another aspect which we certainly don't want being controled by Brussels

Paul Humphries

Norrie, you are right

running a classic is a lot cheaper too in Holland.

I used to pay 60 pounds per annum for my insurance, and MOTs are only about 15 pounds, or even free with a service.

gairlochrosie wrote:Hi Paul,

I believe this is not the case in Holland. I had a couple here staying the other night....from what I took from what they were saying (mind you my dutch is not as good as it once was) its free after 25 years and from what I gathered they just use their cars...maybe I'm wrong, but I'm sure someone will come along and tell me different.

I sold a 27 year old Range Rover rolling chassis to a Dutch chap.
He came to collect with a big list of the serial numbers for the axles, gearbox and engine.
Seems they have very strict rules (maybe only applicable to "imports" ?).
He said an engine changed was acceptable but if axles , gearbox also changed to later items then it would be spotted and tax free status refused.
He was telling me they even have a portable X ray type machine that checks the serial numbers haven't been restamped.
Like I say - we don't want to get involved with European rules any more than necessary !

Paul Humphries

I'd better not comment on the Dutch situation... with my twin chassisnumber car...

I understand there is NO road tax in France - for any age of car.

Interesting how the mumbo jumbo of the moment being used to justify the decision is 'the environment'. Which is a somewhat effective obfuscation as anyone who argues against any decision so tagged is 'selfishly destroying the earth'.

I think it is just the exemption of the annual (or bi-annual) MOT test in France Roy.

bmcecosse wrote:I understand there is NO road tax in France - for any age of car.

On one trip down to Spain and return, with a Land Rover towing a car transporter, the cost of the French motorway charges were nearly £300 over a 10 day period !
Makes UK road tax seem cheap !

Paul Humphries

But that is just if you use the toll (péage) roads. I love using the RN roads in france, but that was in a Minor

what will they sting us for next

Breathing. Also called global warming?