MOT if driving in Europe

[Steve Payne]

I was speaking to a classic car owner at a car event who has recently taken it across to Europe on a rally, his car is MOT exempt. He was stopped in France and spent a couple of hours trying to explain to the local police that he was exempt and they seemed to think this exemption was only in the UK. He was eventually aloud to carry on but does anyone actually know if this exemption is aloud outside the UK?
With a few of us going over to Germany in a couple of months it might be worth checking.
Personally I think its worth having the MOT anyway but I do know of a couple of owners who dont bother.

Steve

[pcourtney]

I think every EU country has different rules, but they respect each others rules ( sadly UK does not apply ) , so if you
drive from France to Germany, you will need to comply with both countries rules.

These are the french rules: If you own a vehicle classed as a véhicule de collection, and it was registered prior to 1960,
no test is required. A véhicule de collection at least 30 years old must have an MOT test every 5 years
NB A vehicule de collection is an Unmodified classic car.

I drive to Amsterdam ( have relations there ) , and I have to drive through France, and Belgium onto Holland ( in Holland the MOT or Road Worthiness Test there is only exempt for cars over 50 years old, which my MKIII now is)

Not sure about the rules for Germany, as never been there in a classic car

https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/o ... mweltzone/

The above German site is in German but google chrome offers to translate to English, they have similar rules to France !

Are foreign classic cars allowed to drive into environmental zones?
Yes, the exemption also applies to classic cars with foreign registration . These must meet similar requirements that apply to the allocation of the German H license plate or the red 07 registration number. The basic requirement here is:

a minimum vehicle age of 30 years and a good state of preservation (maybe a UK MOT is needed every 5 years as well )

The classic car status of a foreign vehicle is also evidenced by the internationally recognized classic car vehicle passport from the world classic car association FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens )

https://fiva.org/en/commission/technica ... c51504c57b


This can be obtained from the respective FIVA clubs in the relevant countries. A copy of the national registration certificate showing the age of the vehicle and, if applicable, the FIVA passport should be clearly visible in the parked vehicle.

[Richie]

Good question Steve and good reply.

On the basis that "A FIVA ID Card is only issued after a physical inspection of the vehicle...", would it not be easier to simply obtain an MoT certificate?

[felixkk]

Having an international motor insurance card with you is probably a good idea (along with your vehicle registration document, of course), although I always forget to organize mine and have never been checked and luckily have not been involved in an accident.

The local police do check foreign vehicles if they look unsafe, but those are usually commercial vehicles you see or read about (with worn tires, or overloaded, or with inadequate brakes), and they will take you off the road if your car doesn't meet the standards. France for example doesn't issue the environmental stickers for classic cars, although they are exempt- which is odd. Never been checked or fined w/o the sticker with the Jensen, but countries may have become stricter in the past few years.

PS check that all your lights are working, police will stop you and check your vehicle if they don't
PPS the country sticker is also mandatory, but I'm not sure if you actually get fined if you don't have one

[colin7673]

Unfortunately, having driven in France for many years following EC regulations, which France is part of the EU the French police and customs, when I have had dealings with both, always say, "France is only in the EU when they have problems" so to answer your question, it's always best to cover your back.
Get an MOT.

[DPP]

A good question Steve, I get an MOT every year as its a very cheap safety check and even with full workshop facilities I cannot test the suspension under duress to the same degree the MOT station can with their shaker plates.

For anybody in the UK the journey to the International this year will be a fairly long drive so why not make sure your car is in good health.

[WIL]

I agree Dave, best to have an MOT for all those reasons, and I would not drive without one, including in Europe.
Wil

[KaranMK2]

I agree on having an MOT. I am booked in for tomorrow. I think the handbrake will need adjusting as in my opinion it does not hold the car well enough when in drive with the handbrake up.

[DPP]

I adjust my handbrake just before the MOT every year and he usually remarks its not very good although still passes but thats the best it is all year.

[pcourtney]

I am removing my rear brake calipers on my MKIII, and sending them to Tony at Bigg Red for a complete refurbishment,
he also does the handbrake part attached to the calipers at the same time, so hopefully my handbrake will work a lot
better after this, new rear vented discs on order from Martin Robey as well, just need to make sure the right hand side
chassis tube is air tight, as this acts as a vacuum reservoir for the brakes, so needs to be air tight to maintain vacuum.

https://www.biggred.co.uk/contact

https://www.martinrobey.com/jensen/inte ... rear/15930

If I don't do the above it will surely fail the MOT

[Steve Payne]

New handbrake pads can make a difference.
When you remove the rear disc's its a good idea to replace the wheel studs especially if you have used them to remove the rear discs.

Steve

[KaranMK2]

The handbrake tension needed to be adjusted on both sides - massive difference after I did them this morning. Passed MOT.

[WIL]

Congratulations on the pass Karan, and yes I agree best to replace the wheel studs,
Wil

[pcourtney]

can someone confirm for me, the wheel studs are 7/16 UNF and about 2 and 3/4" long ???

[Steve Payne]

Buy them from a recognised Jensen supplier and you will get the correct ones.

Steve