Classic Car Road Tax Exemption e-Petition

[Old-Guy]

A petition to re-instate the rolling exemption for vehicles over 25 years old has been started:
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/2622.
It wwould be a while before even early Xantias would qualify, but some of the more knowledgeable and active forum members have cars that would (soon) qualify.

[DickieG]

How many times has one of these RFL exemption petitions been started? It appears a new one starts every couple of months

[Gibbo2286]

I can't see much hope of any tax concessions for a while yet seeing that the country's broke.

[Norlander]

seeing that the country's broke

Or rather, allegedly broke -- till it suits the Government
to splash out bi££ions on whatever it wants to.
It either is or it isn't ... they keep on contradicting their own assertions.

[Stepto1]

Think what was being made 25 years ago. Do we want most of those cars still on the road? I've always fancied a Talbot Rancho (I know they're rubbish but had fond memories of them). Went on the 'how many are left' website and it turns out there are less then ten in the whole country left, half of which are SORN!

[CitroJim]

Ahh but old car's aren't green are they so any move to reinstate an rolling exemption would send out the wrong message...

I do hear the reason they're cutting civil service pensions is to finance this. They believe that as a result of cuts in their pensions, retired civil servants will only be able to afford to run old cars they feel that cutting the road tax on them will go some way to mitigating the effects of the pension cut....

[CitroJim]

Think what was being made 25 years ago. Do we want most of those cars still on the road?

Some surely do. Read practical Classic and they wax positively lyrical about anything that is pre 1990... They even consider an Austin Allaggro or a Morris Mediocre to be serious classic cars

But don't forget there were some excellent cars about 25 years ago which could be a joy to own and run free. A Pug 205GTi for one and I'm sure if we thought about it for long enough a lot of others too...

Generally though I agree. Most old cars are best quietly forgotten. Poxhall Shovit, Viva and the Hillman Avenger immediately spring to mind. The only good thing about the Avenger was the name...

[Stepto1]

Don't forget the Hunter too! Came with a Holby engine!

[Stepto1]

P.s. Just over 50,000 205 GTIs made, 2453 left in this country!

[Stepto1]

And 20 UK Avengers are left!

[CitroJim]

Don't forget the Hunter too! Came with a Holby engine!

Only the H120... And the Avenger Tiger.. Now those are the exceptions to the general rule and the Firenza is to the Viva

Those are worth keeping hold of...

P.s. Just over 50,000 205 GTIs made, 2453 left in this country!

That's some rate of attrition! If I'd have done what I ought and kept mine there would be 2454 left. Mine got written off six months after selling it

And 20 UK Avengers are left!

Gosh One tried and very nearly succeeded in killing me in 1976

[Norlander]

Generally though I agree. Most old cars are best quietly forgotten.

Two oldies I'd happily use today are the Daf 44 (yes, that isn't a typo!) and Citroen GS/GSA.

[Stepto1]

There are still 1345 Volvo 340's left! Can't belive that. I killed one of them,(that took some doing), I've not seen one on the roads for ages!

[CitroJim]

There are still 1345 Volvo 340's left! Can't belive that. I killed one of them

I killed one of those too The prop-shaft very memorably fell off in Bicester due to worn splines

Actually, a very under-rated car. It had a Renault engine in it and was very comfy. I actually quite liked mine and it was game old bird really - it happily towed a caravan to Paris and back....

[Norlander]

a very under-rated car

Like its Van Doorne ancestor.....