You are not logged in

Petrol Head's views - April 2005

I suppose that it's that time of the year again, the daffodils are in bloom, the birds are building their nests, and classic cars are emerging from their winter slumbers. Spring has well and truly sprung!

The pub car park was heaving with classics of all descriptions this Sunday. Don't you just love this time of the year?

So what else is new this month?

Well, we've had the budget and I guess that it was pretty much as expected. Petrol duty frozen, car tax untouched, a few pence on fags and booze etc. Anyone would think those nice politicians are only only trying to keep us sweet because there's an election looming.

The Tories are even trying to rally support from the hoards of classic car owners. Greg Knight MP and Shadow Transport Minister, tells us that: "My party has pledged to re-introduce the rolling tax exemption provisions in the first term of a Conservative government", and that "Freezing the exemption date is an injustice for classic car owners".

As it stands at present, only cars built before ist January 1973 don't need to have a "paid for" tax disc as they are classed as "Historics". You still need a tax disc which of course means a valid MOT and insurance certificate to get that. The Tories say that cars over 25 or 30 years old would qualify for a tax break.

So what is a "tax break". Does that mean it could be a temporary measure and after they won (supposing they did) that it could be taken away again? Your guess is as good as mine. Anyway, it's potentially a positve move and could be good news for those of us who choose not to run modern Euro boxes.

I went to see my old mate at the local MOT station last week. He has some wonderful new fangled bit of kit that will mean that very soon, when you go for an MOT, your registation number will be typed in, and from that he will not only know all the details of your car, and what needs to be tested in relation to it, but he'll also know you inside leg measurement, what you had for breakfast and when you and the missus last indulged! It seems that in a bid to do away with dodgy MOT certificates, the DVLA are bringing this one in. We are told we will not notice a difference.

I believe that the actual certificate will be in a new format, and that my mate will only be able to carry out ten test per day. So how much are they going to go up is the big question? I personally reckon that before long an MOT will double in price as the guys carrying out the tests will still need to pay their rent and rates, the lease on the equipment, pay their staff, draw their wages and take the wife and kids for two weeks in Florida.

Finally, a thank you to the lady who kindly emailed me with her response to my dig at the fox hunting and part time 4x4 country set. Madame, you could always sell your redundant nag to the French and find a more suitable hobby more akin to your obviously urban upbringing and lifestyle.

Strangely enough, their are many common folk such as myself who do actually live out here in the sticks throughout the year and not just at weekends. Believe me, I think I speak on behalf of many of the peasants when I say that we will not miss you one little bit! May the urban foxes raid your bins and crap in your garden.

Petrol Head

If you wish to make contact with Petrol Head regarding this article then visit the contact us page and we will forward your messages on.

The views represented here are those of 'Petrol Head' and do not necessarily reflect those of Classic Car Times.