 |
Ethanol
free petrol from Esso
Their ethanol free petrol is Synergy Supreme+ 99 Unleaded. Legislation
requires Esso and other motor fuel suppliers to place E5 labels on
pumps that dispense unleaded petrol with up to 5% ethanol,
including those that contain no ethanol. 210604
More
|
 |
Enjoy
driving an Memorable MG Route
Memorable
MG Routes are not simply about the tactile pleasure of driving the
road, particularly in an MG, but they are also about the interest
along the route from the views on the road, places to visit, sights
to see and of course refreshment at tea shops and pubs! Yes that is
the theme of this series - a hedonistic approach to MG motoring in
all senses. 220425
More |
 |
Classic
car auctions move online in these pestilent times
Andy
Goves reports the auctions are moving online when faced with Government
advice to avoid mass gatherings. See our "catch-up" webpage
with the news from auction firms as it come in.
200320 More |
 |
Motorsport
UK is suspending all organising permits and Certificates of Exemption
until at least 30th April 2020
The announcement adds "as the National Governing Body, we would
ask all Motorsport UK members to act responsibly and follow the Governments
guidance during this difficult time". 200317
@ 1627 More |
 |
Classic
Car & Resto Show is postponed
The show was to have been held from Friday 27th to Sunday 28th March
2020 at the NEC. See organisers' announcement. 200317
@ 1152 More |
 |
Report
on the Budget 2020 statement
This Budget was an unusual one with so much going on - the Coronavirus
problem developing rapidly in the UK, the UK/EU negotiations in progress,
falling crude oil prices and falling stockmarkets too. But as usual
we have a prompt report on the statement made by the Chancellor with
points of interest to classic motoring enthusiasts. It is released
within a few minutes of his ending his statement in the House of Commons
and updated later when the supporting documents were released on the
GOV.UK website and could be reviewed. 200311
Budget
report |
 |
How
much bigger are modern cars compared with a classic MG?
As many MGV8 enthusiasts grease up their front suspension and service
their car for an enjoyable drive as fine Spring weather appears, when
you are out on the road just how much bigger are modern cars than
an MG. 200308 More |
 |
DfT
remains committed to retaining E5 as a protection grade if E10 is
introduced
On Wednesday 4th March 2020 the UK Government published a consultation
on proposals to introduce E10 petrol, containing up to 10 per cent
bioethanol, as the standard for fuel across the UK. In an FBHVC statement
released on 5th March 2020 they say "we will seek to reinforce
that standpoint in this latest consultation. 200306
More |
 |
Are
LED headlights upgrades legal in the UK?
Aftermarket LED bulbs are not road legal according to the Road Vehicles
Lighting Regulations as they are not E marked. Unfortunately, the
legislation is old and outdated. Written in 1986, there are still
many things that need to be changed. 200303
More |
 |
Concerns
with the relative visibility of classic cars
Classic car enthusiasts are increasingly aware that with the growth
of bright Daytime Running Lights on modern cars, which have become
much larger, not least from the growth in new SUVs and 4x4s, the relative
visibility of a car like classic MG is becoming a real concern. 200220
Article |
 |
Ban
on new petrol, diesel or hybrid cars in UK will be brought forward
from 2040 to 2035
The UK Government has announced "a ban on selling new petrol,
diesel or hybrid cars in the UK will be brought forward from 2040
to 2035 at the latest, under government plans. The change comes after
experts said 2040 would be too late if the UK wants to achieve its
target of emitting virtually zero carbon by 2050. 200204
More |
 |
Good
news on E5 grade fuel
Classic Car Weekly has a brief item reporting "Tories: We'll
keep E5 fuel". A commitment will be in the Conservative manifesto
for the forthcoming general election. 191113
More |
 |
Drive
it Day at Braxted Park on Sunday 26th April 2020
Peter Best Insurance would like to offer all MG Car Club members the
opportunity to attend their Drive-It-Day event for next year - 2020.
191112 More
|
 |
Special
edition magazine - How Cars Work
Classic Cars Weekly had a special edition magazine - How Cars Work
- which brings together Fuzz's expert take on how more than 40 classic
car components work, accompanied by easy to understand diagrams. Copies
are now available via the CCW online shop. 191111
More |
 |
Time
limited special offer from Classic Tracker
Ahead of the London Classic Car Show on 14th February 2019, Classic
Tracker is offering a time limited discount on its SAFER bundle saving
£100. With rising thefts of classic cars a tracker is a useful
device to give you a notification of any disturbance to your classic
as a message to your mobile phone and also live information on the
location of your car were it to be stolen. Providing the police with
the whereabouts of a stolen car significantly increases the probability
of a successful recovery of your car. See information on this discount
offer and their vehicle trackers. 190107
More
& More
& More |
 |
Negotiating
an acceptable insurance renewal premium
One member has been in touch to say "I received my insurance
renewal and once again it showed an increase in the renewal premium
of 15%, far in excess of my annual salary increase at work, so I took
my usual approach with the insurer. See how he did it. 190102
More
& More
|
 |
Fuel
duty freeze confirmed
Theresa May addressing the Conservative Pary conference the freeze
on fuel duty will continue. She re-iterated her commitment to helping
people on low incomes by ruling out any increase in fuel duty in the
Budget on 29th October 2018. Tjis was welcome news for all motorists.
181003 More |
 |
Next
Budget on Monday 29th October 2018
Chancellor Philip Hammond announced on 26th September that the Budget
will take place on Monday 29th October 2018 when he is due to present
his next Budget statement to the House of Commons setting out the
Government's plan to build a stronger, more prosperous economy and
building on the recent Spring Budget Statement 2018 and the Budget
2017. See our preliminary review of the Budget. More
180926 Budget
report
181029 |
 |
Change
to the MOT history service on GOV.UK website
On the the GOV.UK website you can now get the location of an MOT
test if you have the latest V5C number for the car. Following
a drastic reduction in the information available from DVLA on a vehicle
and its former owners made earlier in 2017, this development of making
available the location of previous MOT tests is both useful and welcome
news for both a classic car owner and someone thinking of buying a
classic car. 180814
More |
 |
DfT
consultation on whether and how it should introduce E10 fuel to the
UK market
The DfT open consultation on E10 petrol, consumer protection and fuel
pump labelling was launched today. The DfT says it is "seeking
views on a range of issues related to renewable transport fuel supply
in the UK". The consultation closes on 16th September 2018. 180720
More
|
 |
EU
pushes ahead with insurance for cars off the road
EU pushes for on-and-off road third
party insurance cover and the UK leads the charge against these changes.
This is the lead article in Classic Car Weekly this week and it highlights
an EU proposal to apply the controversial 2014 Vnuk Judgement to its
fullest extent, requiring historic vehicles to be insured at all times,
whether they are on the road or not. 180613
More |
 |
Useful
health information cards
- stroke, sepsis and aorta
Cut out these credit card sized symptom reminders and keep them with
your credit or debit cards. When you need them you
do not want to be hunting for them, they have to be available promptly
and easily. 180606
Cards |
 |
MOTs
for pre 1978 classics are not changing
The good news is the agency (DVSA) in charge of MOT testing says owners
of pre-1978 classics won't be subjected to the tougher new rules if
they want to continue with voluntary annual MOT tests. This news comes
only four days before the new MOT rules come in together with the
MOT exemption arrangements, both on 20th May 2018. 180516
More |
 |
MOT
rule changes from 20th May 2018
The MOT test will change on 20th May 2018 with new defect types, stricter
rules for diesel car emissions, and some vehicles over 40 years old
becoming MOT exempt. The way that the MOT test works in England, Scotland
and Wales will change from Sunday 20th May 2018. The MOT test works
differently in Northern Ireland. The changes will affect cars, vans,
motorcycles and other light passenger vehicles. You can be fined up
to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT. 180410
More |
 |
Update
on substantial change, VHI and MOT exemption declaration
The new regime for exemptions from the requirement
to take the MOT test comes into force on 20th May 2018. This exemption
is available to any vehicle which qualifies as a VHI: essentially
it was manufactured or registered for the first time at least 40 years
previously, is of a type no longer in production, has been historically
preserved or maintained in its original state and has not undergone
substantial changes in the technical characteristics of its main components
in the last 30 years.
180411 More |
 |
New
data protection regulations from 25th May 2018
With new data protection regulations (GDPR) coming into force on 25th
May 2018, all organisations handling personal data have had to review
their procedures for collecting and handling personal data. See a
briefing
note 180326 |
 |
Time
to haggle over motor insurance renewal premiums
Fellow members are noticing their motor insurance renewal premiums
are rising and in most cases by a substantial amount. Why is this
happening, who are the targets for insurers and what can policyholders
do to get an insurance renewal at a lower rate. Haggling doesn't have
to be a headache but it's a shame it's necessary. It could be avoided
if insurance providers would treat loyal customers as well as they
do new ones. See our NEWS items. 171228
More |
 |
Department
for Transport (DfT) Guidance on Substantial Change of Historic Vehicles
The guidance on the GOV.UK website sets out the definition of a Vehicle
of Historic Interest (VHI), vehicles which will, from May 2018, be
entitled to be exempt from taking a vehicle (MoT) test. Further information
is likely to follow over the next few months. 171218
More |
 |
Special
six month update of the MGV8 Price Guide
Usually the V8 Register has an annual price review with an updated
guide released in May but as the Pricewatch team felt there were indications
of some interesting trends, they have produced a six month update
to the MGV8 Price Guide and market reports. 1711NN
More
|
 |
Less
information available from DVLA
The information revealed by an MOT history check on the GOV.UK website
seems to have changed because until very recently the check would
show the test location for each MOT test together with the date of
the test and mileage plus the expiry date. Now the name and address
of the test location are no longer revealed. 171124
More |
 |
Budget
on Wednesday 22nd November 2017
Following the Chancellor's statement to Parliament we have our usual
a prompt report on the few measures announced which will be of interest
to the classic motoring enthusiast. 171122
More
|
 |
Does
a car "wanted" advert work when looking for a good classic
MG?
One method of finding a good MG is through a wanted advert
and there are signs that type of advert is proving to be an effective
way of attracting interest from owners who are beginning to think
of selling their car. As they begin thinking of selling they may feel
they do not want the hassle of "tyre kickers" and dealers
rolling up at their home but the alternative of their responding to
a wanted advert and dealing with an enthusiast who would give the
car a good home seems a great deal better. 170707
More |
 |
Are
some "private" classic car sellers rally traders or dealers?
Cases where traders or dealers advertise classic cars for sale as
"private" sales have been seen before but several cases
have been seen recently. Why does it happen and what are the concerns
for an enthusiast buying a car from them?
170707 More
& Commission
sale arrangements |
 |
Easier
access to DVLA's VES
DVLA have improved the entry webpage for their Vehicle Enquiry Service
(VES) in two ways - first you can enter the Vehicle Registration Number
in a continuous stream of characters and not have to adopt the spacing
seen on the number plate and second you no longer need to input the
make of the car. See also MOT history service and the V888 information
procedure too. 170707 More |
 |
Spring
Budget 2017 report
The Spring Budget 2017 statement made in the House of Commons by the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, on Wednesday 8th March
provided an update on the Governments plans for the economy
based on the latest forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility.See
a report of the announcements of interest to a classic car enthusiast.
170308 More |
 |
DVLA
warns public of scams
DVLA says beware of websites mocked up to
look like a DVLA online service as scam wretches are operating them.
The Daily Telegraph reported "a supercar thief who stole a £97,000
Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe from a Saudi prince is facing jail on Friday.
Mohammed Humza (photo alongside), 26, conned the DVLA by falsely claiming
he owned Sheikh Mohammed Alibrahim's luxury motor parked in London's
exclusive Mayfair district". 170308
More |
 |
Classic
car exemptions from emissions zones in London
See an article on the emissions zones in
Central and Outer London. 170223
More
|
 |
What's
a classic car auction like?
The auctioneer with his gift of maintaining the essential momentum
of the auction with his confident introduction of the "next lot",
encouraging bidding to rattle along, occasionally pausing, then reaching
a highpoint as the remaining bidders make their instant decisions
whether to bid with a continued determination or shake their head
in retreat. Finally down comes the hammer. Lot sold. 170131
More
& More
|
 |
Getting
information on your car from DVLA
After contacting the V8 Register for information about previous owners
for his MGBGTV8, David Worthington made an application to DVLA under
their V888 procedure. Here he describes how it works, what it costs
and what information he received. 170123
More |
 |
EU
court ruling means classics on a SORN may need insurance
In a lead article in this week's issue of Classic Car Weekly the editor,
David Simister, reports "classic owners could be forced to insure
their cars even when they aren't on the road following a recent court
ruling". The Department of Transport (DFT) has launched a consultation
into how it should incorporate the outcome of the ruling by the European
Court of Justice. 17014 More |
 |
EU
court judgment could result in increased motor insurance premiums
in the UK
The UK Government is reviewing the law governing motor insurance which
would provide a route for compensation for victims of accidents involving
motor vehicles in a wider range of circumstances whilst trying to
keep the cost-burden to a minimum. DfT has released a consultation
document saying they "were prompted to review this area of UK
law because of a legal case heard by the European courts in 2014 which
resulted in what is known as the "Vnuk judgment".161222
More |
 |
Autumn
Statement on Wednesday 23rd November
The Autumn Statement 2016 made in the House of Commons by the Chancellor
of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, on Wednesday 23rd November provided
an update on the Governments plans for the economy based on
the latest forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility.
161123 More |
 |
MOT
history search - worth checking when you are thinking of buying a
car
You can check the MOT history of a car on the GOV.UK
website . The results are always interesting and sometimes they
reveal concerns. 161107
More |
 |
Modern
cars get bigger when compared with an MGBGT
Our research shows the frontal area of a typical modern hatchback
like a VW Golf is now nearly a fifth larger (18.5%) compared to that
of an MGBGT and in terms of bulk, a surprising 36% greater. That's
quite a change and clearly helps explain the feeling when driving
a classic MG that modern cars are getting bigger. 161010
More
|
 |
Best
buy dash cams
Since we last looked at dash cams they have continued to improve in
terms of functionality and performance. There has also been a surge
in the popularity of dash cams, so the results of the latest product
test by the leading UK consumer group Which? are a useful guide if
you are thinking of getting a dash cam. 160928
More |
 |
DfT
consultation on roadworthiness testing vehicles of historic interest
We have just received a link to the consultation sent in by Chris
Hunt Cooke. DfT says "we are consulting on proposals to implement
an exemption from testing for vehicles over 40 years old. 160922
More
& More |
 |
Check
your insurance renewal premium
What was discovered on investigating why the premium had increased
so much?
As the V8 member was not prepared to accept that explanation he asked
to speak to a senior member of staff whom he had met at a classic
car event. From that discussion it transpired the premium increase
should have been 3.4% and not 34%! A simple but potentially business
losing mistake by the broker. It pays to check. 150821
More |
 |
How
do I get a valuation for my agreed value insurance policy renewal?
A valuation based only on inspecting a set of photos provided by a
classic car owner is not a way of providing a reliable valuation of
a classic car, but clearly a number of insurers, faced with rising
values for even mainstream classic cars like MGBs and derivatives,
have decided to use photo evidence and self valuation by the owner
with a review by an "in-house expert" as their agreed value
procedure. 160401 More
|
 |
Summer
Budget statement on Wednesday 16th March 2016
The latest independent projections for the UK
economy from the the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) will be
released next week, barely a week ahead of the Budget, so thre may
be some last minute adjustments to the tax announcements to keep his
deficit reduction plan on track. The concern is that after five years
of a tax duty freeze and with fuel prices around a £1.00 a litre
or less, raising fuel duty may be an option he will have to use.
160307 Budget
briefing |
 |
Checking
VED/SORN, insurance and MOT status for a car
With a classic
car, it is very easy to overlook when an MOT test is due or that you
need to tax or SORN the car, so here are some useful links to online
services which could help you avoid difficulties with the DVLA or
police. There is a useful MOT history search which will help you when
thining of buying a car. 160307
VES
search & askMID
search & MOT
history check |
 |
Controversial
LEZ exemptions sought by FIVA
FIVA, an international
body for historic vehicle clubs based in Brussels, has defined what
it regards as "historic vehicles" - they say "historic
vehicles should be road vehicles at least 30 years old, maintained
in a historically correct condition and not used as a means of daily
transport". The concern is the narrow FIVA definition may exclude
many accepted classics, regarding them as "old" rather than
"historic", the latter having rights to lower or zero taxation.
160302 More |
 |
Beware
of DVLA clampers!
Worrying faults with the new system of monitoring road tax after the
end of paper discs and the introduction of an automatic VED cancellation
system when a car is sold are highlighted in a recent article
in the Sunday Times. It's essential reading as a caution. 160118
More |
 |
What
to do if your numberplates have been cloned
Cloning plates has become a difficulty for
many owners of vehicles so be prepared. The first you may be aware
of a problem is when an unexpected notice of a motoring fine or a
parking charge drops through your letter box. On checking the details
of the notice you realise from the description and the time and/or
place of the claimed offence that it could not have been your car.
What do you do? l60110 More |
 |
Classic
car auction dates for 2016
Classic car auctions coming up in the period
to 11th May 2016 were featured in Classic Car Weekly, Wednesday 6th
January 2016. 160108 More |
 |
How
to buy a classic car with Quentin Willson
Quentin Willson produces a seven and half
minute briefing on how to buy a classuc car at auction. It's his usual
breezy style but informative as usual. 160108
Video
clip |
 |
Growing
use of dash cams
A feature in the Sunday Times in their Driving section mentioned two
related developments with the use of dashcams in cars: first "the
popularity of dashcams has soared to the point where the RAC estimates
that 9% of motorists now use one in their vehicle - that amounts to
2.9m camera-equipped cars on the road" and second the growth
of "dashcam vigilantes" reporting everything from minor
misdemeanors to reckless driving. In November 2015 a landmark case
based on dashcam evidence of reckless driving resulted in a driver
being jailed. See our report. 151207
More
& More
information on dash cams |
 |
Hagerty
Classic Index launched
The UK Hagerty
Price Guide for classic cars has been available for a while as
a classic car
valuation tool in the UK that is freely accessible, but monitoring
well over 1,500 classic car model values is difficult. So Hagerty
has created a series of indices that show trends, both in the market
as a whole and in specific sectors. The first of these indices, launched
in December 2015, is the Hagerty
Classic Index. 151205 More
|
 |
Autumn
Statement 2015 on Wednesday 25th November 2015
As usual we have a prompt report on the Budget Statement within an
hour or so of the Chancellor sitting down in the House of Commons.
151125 More |
 |
Check
the age of your tyres
Tyre safety is a topic we have highlighted on many occasions, not
least the age effect on tyre rubber and the consequent reduced braking
and roadholding performance. Over time the suppleness of tyre rubber
reduces so that by around 7 to 8 years old the ageing effect will
have reduced the flexibility of the rubber as it hardens and begins
to take on the characteristics of wood. 151022
More
& Replacement
tyres information gateway |
 |
Tax
class change to "Historic" can only be processed when a
licence application is made, not when making a SORN
A change of tax class from PLG to Historic can only be carried out
when a VED licensing application is made, not when a SORN is made.
However the Post Office can re-license a vehicle in the Historic tax
class if it has previously been under a SORN. 151022
More
|
 |
Changes
to vehicle tax rules - clarification at last?
If you buy a car that is currently taxed do you tax it yourself before
you drive it home as the DVLA says you should, or drive home with
the tax still valid because until the V5C (sent by the Registered
Keeper, the seller, to the DVLA by mail) reaches the DVLA, they will
not have received notification of the sale which legally cancels the
existing VED? 151016 More
|
 |
Concerns
with DVLA stealth tax and the new VED system
The new road tax system introduced by DVLA in October 2014 when the
paper disc ended is continuing to raise concerns for motorists. Many
motorists are unaware that vehicle excise duty is automatically cancelled
when a car is sold, a change that is exposing those drivers to the
risk of clamping by the DVLA and large fines. 150504
More |
 |
Budget
Statement on Wednesday 18th March 2015
Chancellor George Osborne delivered his last Budget statement of the
current UK Parliament less than two months before the date of the
General Election on 7th May. He announced the RPI infaltion Fuel Duty
increase due to apply from September has been cancelled. and VED rates
and bands from 1st April 2015 will increase by RPI. 150318
More
& More |
 |
MG
GTS - a five seat SUV
A report in the Sunday Times featured the new MG GTS, a five seat
SUV from MG's Chinese owner, SAIC. "It's roughly the same size
as a Nissan Qashqai and will compete in the fastest growing segment
of the new car market but will face tough competition from the popular
Nissan as well as the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V. 150106
More & More |
 |
Government
promises cash to fix potholes
In a
report in the Times today "motorists and cyclists are set to
benefit from the Governments record £6 billion spending
spree to fix potholes across England over the next six years. The
£1 billion-a-year investment will be enough to fill in 18 million
potholes, according to the Department for Transport, as well as improving
other local road infrastructure. 141223
More |
 |
No
one is above the law when it comes to CIE
The
Motor Insurers' Bureau says "A lot has happened in the world
of Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) since we launched the process
to manage and enforce The Motor Vehicles (Insurance Requirements)
Regulations 2011 which changed the motor insurance landscape forever
by making it illegal to be the keeper of an uninsured vehicle. 141202
More |
 |
Autumn
Statement on Wednesday 3rd December
The
Autumn Statement 2014 was delivered in the House of Commons by the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, on Wednesday 3rd December
2014. As usual we will have a prompt report on the Autumn Statement
within an hour of the Chancellor sitting down in the House of Commons.
141202 More |
 |
Classic
insurance - a case of its all in the small print
A classic
car enthusiast with a car insured with a specialist classic car insurer
found they wouldn't pay for the ferry to rescue his car from the Isle
of Wight. The policy includes UK and European vehicle recovery but
"significant exclusions" are included in the small print
of a policy booklet sent some years ago when the policy was taken
out. 141127 More |
 |
Emergency
contact disc in place of the old paper tax disc
With the end of paper tax discs in October 2014 this is certainly
a useful idea and one which could provide essential information at
the scene of a collision or medical emergency. 141122
More |
 |
Abolition
of the counterpart driving licence
From
January 2015 DVLA will no longer issue the paper counterpart to the
photocard driving licence - you can see both alongside. Details of
the motor vehicle groups you are licensed to drive are recorded there
together with any endorsements you may have picked up. 141118
More |
 |
New
payment system for the Dartford Crossing on the M25
The new remote payment at the Dartford Crossing over the Thames to
the east of London known as the Dart Charge begins on on Sunday 30th
November 2014. You will no longer pay for the Dartford Crossing at
the barriers. 141110 More |
 |
It's
gone - but you still need to get VED for your vehicle if it's on the
road
From 1st October 2014 you no longer need to display a paper paper
tax disc on a vehicle registered in the UK. Even if you have a tax
disc with any months left to run after this date, it can be removed
from the vehicle and destroyed. 141030
More |
 |
Marshal
of the Year - Marion Quarrington
With
the end of paper tax discs in October 2014 this is certainly a useful
idea and one which could provide essential information at the scene
of a collision or medical emergency. 141026
More |
 |
Getting
a replica tax disc for your MG
With end of paper tax discs you can get a replica for the first tax
disc your MG would have carried from a great supplier
who provides a customised tax disc by return of post and all for less
than £10! 141101 More |
 |
Daytime
Running Lights or DRLs and classic car lighting
Far
from being considered primarily a 'safety feature', many car manufacturers
and the motoring press are treating DRLs as a 'stylish addition' to
a car, concentrating on the look of DRLs as adding character to a
car rather than contributing to its safety. See an article in Safety
Fast! 140815 More |
 |
What
are the key issues to consider when deciding whether to fit 175 or
185 tyres on an MGB?
There are at least four sets of issues you will need to review in
assessing your tyre choice: tyre size, aspect ratio and gearing, the
subjective issue of how the car appears with a lower diameter tyre
and ride height, the available information on tyre performance and
the natural concerns over price and availability of the tyres you
might wish to choose. 140705 More |
 |
EU
Roadworthiness Directive
An
update from the FBHVC reports the Directive permits Member States
to exempt historic vehicles from the new testing regime. It does appear
that the UK Department for Transport (DfT) will exempt them. See the
full FBHC report.
140613
More
& More
|
 |
Beware
the 5 day insurance database update!
The message
to note here is take care to renew your insurance cover at least a
clear 7 days ahead of the expiry date of your current insurance cover.
140519 More
|
 |
Buying
an MG - don't negotiate to buy any remaining road tax
Anyone buying a car from October 2014 will need to know that an owner
selling the car privately will not be able to transfer the unexpired
tax to a new owner and will not be entitled to offer that as
a part of the sale price. 140312 More
|
 |
Costly
penalty for an overdue MOT test
Losing track of the MOT expiry date is very easy to do. With computer
based records and number plate recognition systems, driving a car
without a current MOT (even unwittingly) can result in a costly fine.
140312 More |
 |
Report
of the Budget Statement in March 2014
This year the Chancellor's Budget had good news - the VED exemption
will become a rolling 40 year concession plus the freezing of a 2p
fuel duty rise due in September 2014. 140319
More |
 |
How
will classic motoring suffer in the Autumn Budget 2013?
See our briefing for the Autumn Statement on Thursday 5th December
2013. More |
 |
Continuous
Insurance Enforcement caution
You will need to think about complying with the Continuous Insurance
Enforcement (CIE) requirements if your car is with a restorer for
a moderate or an extended period of time. 131203
More |
 |
VED
exemption extension update
See our NEWS item on the VED exemption extension announced with the
Budget in March 2013 and our guide to taxing an MG that qualifies
as an Historic vehicle. 131019 Latest
NEWS and Guide |
 |
Penetrating
oils and rust release agents
Faced with bolts that are difficult to release with the consequent
fear that increasing effort will result in the bolt shearing so using
a rust release agent is a sensible option, but which product is likely
to be the most effective? 131015 More |
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UK
fuel duty freeze
Welcome news for UK motorists. The likely combined effect of the fuel
duty freeze announcements during the term of the present Coalition
Government is around 20p a litre.131001
NEWS
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E5
availability extended to 2016
The UK Government is proposing to extend the current legal requirement
for a protection grade - for engines that are not compatible
with E10 petrol - for a further 3 years to the end of 2016. 130829
More |
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Good
news in the Budget in March 2013
This year the Chancellor's Budget had good news - the cancellation
of the next 3p fuel duty rise due in September 2013 and the extension
of the Classic Vehicle VED Exemption to 1st January 1974 with effect
from 1st April 2014. 200313 More |
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How
has classic motoring suffered in the Budget in March 2012?
Sadly the UK Budget statement today had no reduction of the planned
increase in fuel duty coming in this August 2012 but the good news
was no increase in VED rates above inflation (RPI) - so the V8 rate
rises £5 to £220. 210312
More |
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Members'
Area launched on the Club website
The MG Car Club has launched a Members' Area on its website with a
range of additional information and services there. To access the
Members' Area you need to click the login link and then enter your
surname and current MG Car Club membership number. 030112
More |
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New
MoT test certificate
The MoT test certificates have been changed and are now printed on
plain paper, but that's not the only change because the document has
been switched from a portrait A4 document to a landscape A4 format,
it's now monochrome (no longer the familiar light green colour) and
there is no small peel off self adhesive data panel which could be
attached to the inside of the windscreen to act as a renewal reminder.
121211 More
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Accelerated
rollout of the new red V5C
DVLA has sent out a notice of the accelerated rollout of the new red
V5C (the vehicle log book). The new red V5C was introduced in August
2010 as a more secure and customer friendly document which highlights
the need for buyers to check the legitimacy of the vehicle presented
for sale. 210911 More
See also the useful advice on buying a used vehicle on the Directgov
website including a helpful checklist and video. 220911
Directgov
website & checklist
& video |
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Continuous
Insurance Enforcement or CIE
The tougher requirements of the new Continuous Insurance Enforcement
(CIE) introduced in June 2011 are being applied by the DVLA. Under
the CIE a vehicle owner that has not declared a SORN (statutory off
road notice) for a vehicle must have an active motor insurance cover
for that vehicle. The DVLA now has systems which enable it to run
checks on both their vehicle records database and the Motor Insurance
Database (MID) and by comparing the data from the two databases it
can very easily identify vehicles that are uninsured but not on a
SORN. Firm action is promised by the DVLA on those cases. So what
checks and precautions can a classic car owner take? Well our gateway
webpage has links to will help you get to the DVLA, DirectGov, askMID
and MOT websites in a click. 080711 More |
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So
what vehicle data checks can a classic car owner make online?
Well the link below will help you get to the useful DVLA, DirectGov,
askMID and MOT websites, together with links to the online road tax
and SORN websites. More
See also Vehicle Data Checks (Experian) & AA Car Data Checks.
More |
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Need
a reminder of the key road tax/SORN, MOT and insurance dates?
Keeping those key dates for your car in a place for easy reference
seems a good idea, so we have produced a set of credit card sized
forms on which you can make a note of the road tax/SORN renewal date,
MOT expiry date and the insurance renewal date for your car. You can
then cut out the form and slip it in with your cards. 060711
Download a key vehicle data card and links for tax/SORN online.
More |
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Biofuel
concerns with classic MGs
Since the introduction of ethanol in motor fuels in the UK and overseas
there have been concerns over the effects of biofuel on older cars,
particularly classic cars. There seem to be three areas of concern
with biofuel in classic cars - corrosion in classic car fuel storage
tanks and fuel supply systems, compatibility issues with rubber components
and seals, and combustion issues. See our update.
060711 More |
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