clarity on MOT for Historic vehicles.

[martyn dwane]

Keep having the same discussion about MOT`s for Historic vehicles. Friends say my Lambretta chopper need a mot because it has had the frame substantially changed, i disagree.
Here`s what UK Gov website states.
"Substantial change’ criteria"
Main vehicle components (excluding motorcycles)
Chassis

Chassis replacements of the same pattern as the original are not considered to be a substantial change
The exclude motorcycles bit tells me im right.Or am i wrong ?

[Warkton Tornado No.1]

I wonder whether you need to take into consideration what would happen in the result of any failure which could be attributed to changes made to the OEM specification.

For certain, the Insurers would most likely try & distance themselves from any responsibility, particularly if there was any serious injuries.

My interpretation of what practicable repairs & alterations would not affect the integrity of the machine would be limited to replacement struts etc though headstock shortening would be fine. Uh oh! That then brings into question the forks, surely? Quite a dilemma, given that an MOT Station would certify such a machine without actually examining any welded modification to the forks as the weld would be hidden……

In any case, alterations that involve the cutting/welding of the main frame tube are unlikely to be insured unless declared if it came to it.

I don’t know the answer to the question posed, but feel sure that what many of us consider the ‘enhancements’ to our machines may be safety orientated & even help with the issue of an MOT, I wouldn’t like to rely upon the Insurer fighting my corner in the case of any claim.

Perhaps there might be some middle ground in the scenario I have talked the subject around to - but I hope you agree it’s relevant - by a qualified engineer/motorcycle/scooter specialist certifying their perceived standard of any machine that has been modified involving cutting/welding? This might be a service that the LCGB could take on as there must be a number of appropriately skilled/qualified engineers within the membership

My understanding is that we get off quite lightly compared to Germany, say, where strict standards are enforced. Such measures could come into force in this country, so I would advocate that if ‘we’ were pro-active as a club, ‘we’ stand to maintain some kind of control in the application of standards, & that can be beneficial in so many ways

[Rich Oswald]

Keep having the same discussion about MOT`s for Historic vehicles. Friends say my Lambretta chopper need a mot because it has had the frame substantially changed, i disagree.
Here`s what UK Gov website states.
"Substantial change’ criteria"
Main vehicle components (excluding motorcycles)
Chassis

Chassis replacements of the same pattern as the original are not considered to be a substantial change
The exclude motorcycles bit tells me im right.Or am i wrong ?

Martyn. you are 100% correct.

[Rich Oswald]

I wonder whether you need to take into consideration what would happen in the result of any failure which could be attributed to changes made to the OEM specification.

For certain, the Insurers would most likely try & distance themselves from any responsibility, particularly if there was any serious injuries.

My interpretation of what practicable repairs & alterations would not affect the integrity of the machine would be limited to replacement struts etc though headstock shortening would be fine. Uh oh! That then brings into question the forks, surely? Quite a dilemma, given that an MOT Station would certify such a machine without actually examining any welded modification to the forks as the weld would be hidden……

In any case, alterations that involve the cutting/welding of the main frame tube are unlikely to be insured unless declared if it came to it.

I don’t know the answer to the question posed, but feel sure that what many of us consider the ‘enhancements’ to our machines may be safety orientated & even help with the issue of an MOT, I wouldn’t like to rely upon the Insurer fighting my corner in the case of any claim.

Perhaps there might be some middle ground in the scenario I have talked the subject around to - but I hope you agree it’s relevant - by a qualified engineer/motorcycle/scooter specialist certifying their perceived standard of any machine that has been modified involving cutting/welding? This might be a service that the LCGB could take on as there must be a number of appropriately skilled/qualified engineers within the membership

My understanding is that we get off quite lightly compared to Germany, say, where strict standards are enforced. Such measures could come into force in this country, so I would advocate that if ‘we’ were pro-active as a club, ‘we’ stand to maintain some kind of control in the application of standards, & that can be beneficial in so many ways

The answer is that Martyn Dwayne is correct.
If everything, and I mean everything, including frame mod's, fork mod's and welding etc, is declared and all is totally legal, then insurers MUST adhere and make a pay out.