Classic cars that become MOT exempt in 2021
3rd March, 2021
As well as being a lot of fun to drive and a potentially lucrative way to invest any spare cash, there are a host of other benefits to classic car ownership. Many classics can be found at surprisingly low prices and very economical to run. For example, lower insurance premiums, classic car road tax exemption and MOT exemption all mean that the cost of running a classic car is more within reach than many people realise.
The great thing is that every year more and more vehicles achieve classic status and can enjoy these benefits. If you’re looking to buy your first classic or add to your collection during 2021, then take a long hard look at our list of classic cars that will soon become MOT exempt.
If you’re interested in grabbing one of these modern classics for yourself, then be sure to cover them with great value classic car insurance from Lancaster Insurance. Another benefit of being bitten by the classic car bug!
When does a classic car become MOT exempt?
It used to be the case that only vehicles registered before 1960 were exempt from the annual MOT test. However, in 2018 the rules changed so that from the 1st April each year, any vehicle that had been built more than 40 years before 1st January of that year would be MOT exempt.
As you would expect, there are exceptions to this rule. The main one being that if the car has gone through significant modifications then it might not be exempt. If substantial changes have been made to a vehicle’s chassis or body shell, axles and running gear or engine then you’ll need to check the government guidance to see if it’s still exempt.
Another thing to be aware of is that MOT exemption is not automatic. If you want to take advantage of this benefit then you need to complete the DVLA historic vehicle process. Then complete a Declaration of exemption from MOT (V112) form from the Post Office and send it to the DVLA.
Even if your vehicle is MOT exempt you must still keep it in a roadworthy condition. If you don’t you can be fined up to £2,500 and get three penalty points for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition.
15 of the most recent MOT-exempt classics
Another year, another set of classics to get excited about. If you’re in the market for a classic car (and who isn’t?) then leaf through our 15 favourite classics that become MOT-exempt in 2021!
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Porsche 924 Carrera GTS
Probably the quickest and certainly the rarest on this list, this beauty is a great one to start with. Having already produced the 924 Carrera GT to enter racing competitions, Porsche’s engineers took things one step further with the limited production GTS. The 242bhp GTS had fixed headlamps rather than the GT’s pop-up units, and boasted significant weight savings.
Only 59 were produced, 15 of which featured the popular Clubsports trim. So, if you’re looking to add one of these to your collection then you’ll need well over £200k to spare.
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Ford Mustang GT
The rivalry between Ford and Chevrolet in the US is perhaps the greatest automotive rivalry of all time, with each year producing yet another twist in the ongoing saga. In 1981, the Chevy Camaro’s muscular arch-rival, the Ford Mustang, had something new up its bulging sleeves. Introduced late in the year, the Mustang GT with its 157bhp 5.0-litre V8 engine was launched with the accompanying slogan ‘The Boss is back!’
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Mazda RX-7
Demonstrating the joy of driving, lightweight design and a rotary engine, this mass-produced Japanese coupé has been around since 1978. But it’s the Series 2 cars built from 1981 that can now look forward to MOT-exempt status.
Happily enough, these were also an improvement on the Series 1 cars with integrated plastic-covered bumpers, thicker black rubber body side mouldings, and wraparound tail lights. There was also an extra 10bhp (up to 114bhp) from the rotary engine.
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Chevrolet Camaro
Another car that began rolling out of the factory late in 1981, was Chevrolet’s significantly lighter third-generation Camaro. It was the first Camaro with a hatchback body style, and such options as factory fuel injection, and a four-cylinder engine. Three models were available: Sport Coupe, Berlinetta, and Z28. The Sport Coupe came with a standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a rather weak 90bhp. The Z28 did a bit better with a 5.0-litre V8 engine rated at 145bhp – although the optional Cross Fire Injection 5.0-litre with functioning hood scoops was rated at 165 bhp.
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Jaguar XJ-S HE
Jaguar’s longest running model the XJ-S and its aerodynamic styling were first launched in 1975. But six years later, it was time for a facelift for Jaguar’s luxury grand tourer. The main improvement was that it received the new High-Efficiency V12 engine which made for much better fuel economy. But it wasn’t just under the bonnet that improvements were made. It received new five-spoke alloy wheels, chrome inserts on the bumpers and elm wood inserts on the dashboard and door cappings.
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Alfa Romeo GTV6
As an improvement on Alfa Romeo’s already well-regarded GTV 2.0-litre, the GTV6 and its 160bhp, 2.5-litre engine received some rave reviews in the motoring press. The GTV6 also had a successful racing career, winning the European Touring Car Championship an unprecedented four years in succession and the British Touring Car Championship in 1983.
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Ford Fiesta XR2
Beloved of boy racers throughout the 1980s the Ford Fiesta XR2 hot hatch has had a devoted following for many years now. Finally, this nippy little motor can enjoy the official cult classic treatment it deserves.
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Lotus Esprit Turbo
One of the most successful and longest running supercars, the Lotus Esprit was made famous by its adventures in not just one but two James Bond films. But it’s the Lotus Esprit Turbo and Series 3 models of 1981 that feature in this list.
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Triumph Acclaim
The very last car to feature the famous Triumph marque wasn’t really a Triumph at all, but essentially a UK-assembled and rebadged Honda Ballade. By 1981, Triumph’s owner British Leyland didn’t have the funds to develop their own cars so took advantage of a model collaboration agreement with Honda to find an answer. The Acclaim was a decent car and Triumph produced over 133,000 – although it’s estimated only around 125 are left on the UK’s roads. Protect yours with specialist classic car insurance if you do manage to get your hands on one.
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Fiat Panda
Mixing the conventional and the clever, the Fiat Panda is an exceptional piece of Italian design by the brilliant Giorgetto Giugiaro. With its flat glass windows and bare-bones yet practical interior the Panda was cheap to make, buy, operate and repair. It arrived in UK showrooms in May 1981 and has proved an enduring hit with the British public.
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Ferrari Mondial
The Ferrari Mondial is a mid-engined V8 grand tourer designed to replace the Bertone-designed 308GT4. However, while the Mondial benefited from a longer wheelbase to make the back seats more comfortable, one-of-a-kind styling by Pininfarina and bodywork by Carrozzeria Scaglietti it hasn’t received the wide admiration it deserves.
While this lack of recognition has previously worked for enthusiasts who’ve enjoyed the lower prices of the Mondial that looks to be changing.
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Ford Escort RS 1600i
This astonishing example of 1980s hot hatch was introduced in September 1981 as a homologation special to allow Ford’s Group A racing exploits. However, while Ford planned to only build 5,000, it was so popular that they built 8,659 in total (although only 2,500 reached the UK).
Under the bonnet is a 1.6-litre CVH engine and Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection producing around 115bhp and capable of 119mph. Along with bigger alloys and a five-speed gearbox this was definitely an RS that captured the imagination!
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Vauxhall Cavalier
The new front-wheel drive second-generation Vauxhall Cavalier was introduced in August 1981 with class-leading fuel economy and performance for the time. It successfully challenged the Ford Cortina as the company car of choice in the UK. Indeed, following the British public’s reluctance to embrace the somewhat radical aerodynamic styling of the Cortina’s successor, the Sierra, the Cavalier managed to top the sales charts in 1984 and 1985.
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Lamborghini Jalpa
Thought of as an ‘entry-level’ affordable Lamborghini and a baby brother to the flagship Countach, the Jalpa was first introduced to the public at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show alongside the Lamborghini LM001 concept off-road vehicle.
Designed by Bertone and developed from the earlier Silhouette, the Jalpa featured a transversely mounted 3.5-litre V8 behind its two seats offering 255bhp and a top speed of 155mph.
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Volkswagen Polo
The Volkswagen Polo Mark 2 was the second generation of the supermini and hit the market in late 1981. While it’s not exactly the most thrilling car on the list to drive it did come in two hatchback layouts. The first was a conventional three-door hatch but it’s the second that’s most beloved on the Volkswagen scene. Nicknamed the ‘bread van’ its practical design coupled with the load capacity of a small estate has proved enduringly popular. It even has something of a cult following these days.
Other changes in 2021 to watch out for
Along with the new entrants to the MOT-exempt classic club there are some other changes coming into effect this year that are worth being aware of. Particularly as failure to follow road rules can see owners caught out with heavy fines and penalty points.
Number plate changes
While owners of the above classics will be pleased their vehicles are now MOT-exempt they might not be so pleased to hear that they’ll no longer automatically be allowed to display retro black and silver number plates.
Since 2015 all classic car owners had been able to replace their modern yellow rear and white front plates with more traditional-looking black and silver number plates. The plates looked classier and were seen as a nice touch by many classic car owners.
However, since 1st January 2021 this is no longer the case. Now only models built before 1st January 1980 can continue to use the classic plate designs. Sorry, class of 1981, your modern plates will have to stay!
Brexit changes
While a last-minute deal between the UK and the EU meant that most British drivers will not need an International Driving Permit when taking their modern classic for a European grand tour, there are still some important changes to take into account.
Just as you always need the right classic car insurance in place to protect yourself in the event of breakdown, theft, damage or accident, now you’ll also need a Green Card when you visit Europe as proof you have valid insurance. You must have a physical copy with you at all times. You can get this from your classic car insurance provider, but leave yourself at least six weeks before travel.
You’ll also need to buy and display a GB sticker on the back of your classic.
Protect your MOT-exempt classic with classic car insurance
Whether a Ford Mustang GT or a Volkswagen breadvan when you leave the garage in one of these classics, you’ll need classic car insurance to protect it.
From Morris Minors to Mazda MX5s, Lancaster is the broker of choice for thousands of UK classic car owners. Give us a call and we’ll help you find the right cover, at the right price.
Our team has been arranging classic car cover for over 35 years now, making sure that as many classics as possible are kept on the road for future generations to enjoy.
Choosing cover from Lancaster entitles you to a range of benefits including:
- Up to 25% Classic Car Club member discounts
- Static show cover
- Historic rally cover
- Choice of repairer
- EU cover up to 90 days
- Laid up cover available
- Limited mileage discounts
You’ll also have 24-hour access to our claims helpline and UK-based call centre.
Get a quote for classic car insurance today.
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