Cars Turning 40 in 2026: Newly MOT Exempt

Every January, another year of cars rolls into MOT exemption. In 2026 it is the turn of vehicles first registered in 1985. They reached 40 in 2025 and from this year are not legally required to take an annual MOT, as long as they have not been substantially modified. This guide lists the eligible models and explains the exemption rules. Verify any used purchase with our free MOT history check.

How the 40-year rolling exemption works

Under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act, cars become MOT exempt 40 years after their first registration date. The exemption is rolling, meaning each new year a fresh cohort qualifies. Vehicles registered between 1 January 1985 and 31 December 1985 reach 40 during 2025 and are exempt from 2026 onwards.

Exemption is not automatic. The keeper must self-declare on DVLA form V112 at tax time, confirming the vehicle meets the eight-point criteria. Owners can still choose to put the car through an MOT voluntarily, and many do for insurance or peace of mind.

The rolling system replaced the old fixed cut-off in May 2018. Before that change, only pre-1960 vehicles were exempt regardless of age. The current framework better reflects how cars are kept and used today, when many enthusiast vehicles cover only a few hundred miles a year and would never present a risk that a routine MOT could meaningfully reduce.

The eight-point V112 substantial modification test

To qualify, the car must not have been substantially modified in the previous 30 years. The DVLA assesses changes against eight technical areas: chassis, body shell, axles, running gear, suspension type, transmission, steering and engine. Replacements with original-equivalent parts do not count as modifications.

Period upgrades and like-for-like restoration are typically fine. Engine swaps to a different family, monocoque chassis modification, or full conversion to electric drive will usually disqualify the car from exemption.

• Chassis or monocoque: replacement of an original frame is a modification
• Body: shell shape changed materially
• Axles and running gear: changed type or load class
• Suspension: switched from leaf to coil or vice versa
• Transmission: gearbox replaced with non-period type
• Steering: power steering retro-fit can disqualify
• Engine: change to different family (capacity tweaks generally fine)
• Type approval: car re-registered as a different category

1985 highlight: the cars exiting MOT in 2026

The 1985 cohort spans the back end of an era of mass-market icons. Several were near the end of their production life and are now coveted classics, while others were just hitting their stride.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of models with strong UK survival numbers, drawn from DVLA registration data and How Many Left.

Survival rates vary. Of the more than half a million Astra Mk1s sold new, fewer than 200 are still on UK roads. The BMW E30 has fared better thanks to enthusiast support, with several thousand still registered. Values reflect that scarcity: a tidy Sierra Sapphire Cosworth or E30 M3 routinely commands £40,000-plus, while a humble Metro might still be found for under £3,000.

• Volkswagen Mk2 Golf (early models)
• Ford Sierra (pre-facelift)
• Vauxhall Astra Mk1 GTE (final year)
• Austin Metro and Mini
• Vauxhall Nova
• BMW E30 3 Series
• Mercedes 190E (W201)
• Saab 900 (classic)
• Ford Escort Mk3 RS Turbo
• Peugeot 205 (including early GTI)
• Rover SD1
• Renault 5 GT Turbo

Should you still get a voluntary MOT?

Many classic owners continue to MOT their cars even when exempt. A pass certificate is independent confirmation that the car was roadworthy on the test date, which can help with insurance valuations and resale.

The downside is the small risk that an over-zealous tester logs an advisory the owner did not want. Check the common faults database to see what is typical for your model so you go in informed.

Voluntary MOTs are particularly valuable for cars that double as daily drivers. If you commute in your BMW E30 or Ford Sierra, an annual test gives you a structured safety check from a trained eye, often spotting brake or suspension wear before it becomes dangerous. Many specialists offer classic-friendly MOTs that take longer but treat older mechanicals sympathetically.

Insurance and roadworthiness still matter

Exemption from MOT does not exempt you from the law on roadworthiness. Driving an unsafe vehicle on the public highway remains a criminal offence under the Road Traffic Act, regardless of MOT status.

Insurers can also impose conditions on classic policies, including limited annual mileage and a requirement for storage in a locked garage overnight. Check your policy small print before relying on the exemption.

The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs recommends an annual safety inspection by a specialist even when MOT is not required. Cars that sit for long periods are particularly vulnerable to brake fluid degradation, perished tyres and rodent damage to wiring, none of which are obvious on a casual glance. Treat exemption as an administrative simplification, not as permission to skip maintenance.

How to declare exemption with V112

When taxing the car each year, the keeper completes a V112 declaration confirming the vehicle is a Vehicle of Historic Interest with no substantial modifications. The form is free and can be submitted at the Post Office or kept as a paper record at home.

Read our dedicated guide on the V112 form for MOT exemption for a step-by-step walk-through. You can also confirm tax status with our car tax check.

Keep a copy of the completed V112 alongside the V5C, especially if you intend to sell. Buyers will increasingly expect to see the declaration paperwork, since making a false declaration is itself an offence. A complete folder of registration, V112 declarations and any voluntary MOT certificates raises a classic's value and saves the next keeper a lot of administrative work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all 1985 cars MOT exempt from 2026?

Only cars first registered between 1 January 1985 and 31 December 1985 that have not been substantially modified. The keeper must self-declare on V112.

Do I still need to tax a classic car?

Vehicles over 40 years old are eligible for the historic VED class, which is zero-rated. You still need to apply each year, even though the cost is £0.

Can I sell a 1985 car without an MOT?

Yes. The car is exempt and you do not need an MOT to sell. Many buyers still prefer a recent voluntary pass for confidence.

Does a period engine swap count as a modification?

Engine swaps within the same family (e.g. larger capacity of the same block) are usually fine. Swaps to a different engine family or fuel type can disqualify exemption.

How do I check the registration date of an older car?

Use our free MOT history check and the DVLA vehicle enquiry service. Both confirm the date of first registration.

If you own a 1985-registered car, 2026 is the year it becomes MOT exempt, but only if it qualifies under the eight-point modification test and you submit a V112 declaration. Confirm tax and history any time with our free MOT history check.