2025 road tax

[DSM10000]

True, with four years' experience etc and the appropriate guidelines, but I'm still wondering how easy it really is to judge the effectiveness of brakes, accuracy of steering, and typical "looseness" of fit on these things as we roll back the decades and 'try" to remember the original standard by which they were made?

(And yes, this is a Petersen, not a real one )

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No tester can be expected to have in depth knowledge of older vehicles that's why the MOT manual has exceptions and guidance plus the initial training supposedly covers decision making processes etc.

Working brakes, lights etc regardless of reaching modern standards should be inspected.

 

[ALFAitalia]

They can check that the brakes actually work....don't leak (if hydraulic) and, more importantly are evenly balanced side to side so it stops straight. As long as it can stop the vehicle ultimately the stopping power is a matter of opinion.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

No tester can be expected to have in depth knowledge of older vehicles that's why the MOT manual has exceptions and guidance plus the initial training supposedly covers decision making processes etc.
Working brakes, lights etc regardless of reaching modern standards should be inspected.

Understood entirely.... but... the brakes on an Albion and on my little Renault Dauphine were "weak" when they came out of the factory. Now, an enthusiast, or established owner, may be able to tell if they're worse than they used to be, but an MoT tester can't.

I don't know if you've driven anything from say the thirties or forties recently, but their standards seem "weak" to modern eyes.

Perhaps a better example is the Sixties Mini: again there's how they were built, and how they're maintained or renovated. Nominally not at fault "by MoT standards, perhaps in terms of leaking pipes or whatever, but a wide range of performance.

 

[DSM10000]

MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles - 1. Brakes - Guidance - GOV.UK

Brake condition and operation, service brakes, secondary brakes, parking brakes, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic braking system (EBS) and brake fluid rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.

www.gov.uk

Grab a beer or several and have a look

It has sections for vehicles used before 1968 and 1915!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

The PPM rates seem a bit high to me......I'd be out of pocket at over about 8k per annum compared to road tax!!! I think its difficult to beat the extra tax being on the fuel. Covers everything and allows for those who don't drive much...those who drive more paying more, carbon....so if you burn more fuel you create more pollution/carbon and pay more tax. Will encourage the average income types (me!) use of more frugal and so greener cars etc etc. And can easily work with EVs too.

The rates might need a tweak but the lack of fuel duty and VAT being reduced to 5% is the great equaliser. In that scenario, petrol and diesel becomes a fraction of the price it is today.