Classic car tax exemption

**SelbyVX** · 21st September 2007, 20:29

Just wondered what people thought about this exemption for cars over 25yrs old. A colleague of mine has a Morris Traveller which is tax exempt. He uses it for daily commuting and also for weddings.
It will obviously produce higher emissions than a modern motor, and will use more fuel than most.
Why should we pay tax to subsidise him then?

**Gsi3.2** · 21st September 2007, 20:31

hmm, as a previous member and 'admin' for a classic car club i can give you some points here..

The 25 yrs is a bit of a misnomer.. the cutoff was set in stone by the goverment, so it no longer was a rolling date..meaning less and less cars qualify each year.

if the car is still on the road, it's well looked after. even thou the emissions test isn't as harsh, it's still very tight for them to meet..so polluting..not really..

and as for fuel.. that moggie should see 30 -35 mpg easily..now how about my euro3 3.2v6.. that see's only 20mpg if i'm being good or 5 if i'm not... so who's polluting..

sorry, but yours is a bit of a sterotypical argument..

**MAF 3.2 V6 GSi** · 21st September 2007, 20:33

i don t mind paying for his car tax rather him than me , could nt have a car that old know matter what it is , as for the goverment and emissions they make it up as they go along .

**Bainie** · 21st September 2007, 20:36

And 95% of them are show cars which won`t be on the road most of the time .. end of 1972 is the cut off I believe ??

**Gsi3.2** · 21st September 2007, 20:36

it is...

**Karl** · 22nd September 2007, 00:29

If you ask me they have already paid their tax, any car produced in the early 70s (or less) would have paid some tax BEFORE they went tax free.

I used to be in a Mini club, the only thing I didn't like was the amount of "log book" 72 cars, that were really 1990+, happened all the time (too easy to ring a mini, no chassis)

**Ste** · 22nd September 2007, 17:07

Bring in the rolling 25 year cutoff.

My other car is a '74, and I road tax is payable on it.....

It also has a 3.5L V8 up front.

**john_k_sri** · 22nd September 2007, 17:48

I do not think it is a question of those who pay road tax subsidising those who are exempt from payment, it's a bit like saying that those who don't have children are subsidising those who don't, because those who do make more use of the NHS and other publicly-funded services. But I do feel that all those who use the roads should pay something.

**SelbyVX** · 22nd September 2007, 19:05

Originally Posted by john_k_sri

I do not think it is a question of those who pay road tax subsidising those who are exempt from payment, it's a bit like saying that those who don't have children are subsidising those who don't, because those who do make more use of the NHS and other publicly-funded services. But I do feel that all those who use the roads should pay something.

Interesting comparison, not sure its right though. many who dont have children make great use of the NHS to try to get em! But I take yer point like I take those others. If introduction of tax meant less vintage cars that would be a shame I suppose.