Classic car road tax... How much?

Question

My partner is going to buy a classic car. He knows that the older the car the less road tax he will pay, but not exactly how much. Is there a site that will give me this information, or is there anyone out there that can tell me?. Thankyou in advance

Answer 1

The cut off date is January 1st 1973. Any car built before that is tax exempt in the UK.
It used to be a rolling 25 year tax exemption but this was changed by the Labour government when they came in to power.

Also, as it goes on year of manufacture not registration, some cars registered later in 1973 or even in some cases 1974 may also be tax exempt if you can prove the car was manufactured before Jan 1st 1973. There was a fuel crisis at the time and some larger engine cars remained unsold for a long time. Owners clubs usually keep the build records, supplying them with the chassis number will give you the information you need.

Answer 2

Wow! It's amazing how many people have absolutely no idea what the 'Historic Vehicle' taxation class actually is, do they?! Evelyn, J.G. andTufty are correct - everybody else is totally wrong. The term 'Historic Vehicle', when referring to road tax, specifically means a vehicle built before January 1st, 1973. The word 'classic' has no real meaning, when referring to motor vehicles. It can be applied to almost any vehicle that people get misty-eyed about. Indeed, some cars are even referred to as "instant classics", as soon as they appear on the market. The age of a vehicle has little to do with its 'classic' status. When referring to insurance however, some companies will have a 'classic policy' for older vehicles. What age the vehicle needs to be, in order to qualify for 'classic' insurance will depend on the insurance company - they all have different criteria. The word "vintage" is a car buff's term for any vehicle over 25 years old. The word "veteran" refers to any vehicle over 50 years old. Neither term has any legal meaning, though.

Answer 3

The cut of date for free car tax in the UK is 1972, but this is the date for manufacture so some cars first registered in 1973 are still eligible if you can prove they were made in 1972. The higher car taxes which apply to modern engines depending on emissions are not retrospective so if you want a big engined car there is some saving in road tax to be made in an older (but post 1972) car over a new equivalent. HTH

Answer 4

Kyle is correct - the cut-off date for Historic Vehicle classification is January 1st, 1973.

Vehicles constructed before that date do not have to pay for a tax disc, although one must be displayed in the windscreen.

If anyone is unsure of that date (those who said 1972, or 1970, or 25 years old, etc.) please check out the link to the D.V.L.A. website below.

Answer 5

I would recommend one to try this internet site where you can get rates from different companies: http://INSUREFOREVERYBODY.INFO/index.html?src=5YAxnu68umH27deW1

RE :Classic car road tax... How much?
My partner is going to buy a classic car. He knows that the older the car the less road tax he will pay, but not exactly how much. Is there a site that will give me this information, or is there anyone out there that can tell me?. Thankyou in advance
Follow 11 answers

Answer 6

The road tax is free, but you still have to show insurance and MOT certificates to obtain the disc.

Answer 7

jed slade you must be as old as me ,the amount of Guinness labels I used in the 1960', 1970, nearly made me an alcoholic
and by the way all are right Tax free no more guinness labels

Answer 8

Classic car tax is free.

Answer 9

If you have an old guiness bottle label,nothing,if not it,s any pre 1970 vehicle is exempt from road tax.

Answer 10

If you're in the UK, pre 1970 you don't pay any tax. After that date you pay it just like any other car.