MOT Test
Standard Class 4 and Class 7 MOTs, with a free retest within 10 working days.
MOT pricesClassic Car MOT · Historic Vehicles
Classic Car MOT in High Wycombe
Vehicles first registered more than 40 years ago are usually exempt from the MOT, but RH Automotive will still test an exempt classic if you'd like one, at the same £45 Class 4 price as any other car. We're a DVSA-approved test centre on West Wycombe Road in High Wycombe.
- DVSA Approved MOT Centre
- Class 4 & Class 7
- All Makes & Models
- 25 Years in High Wycombe
- Free Retest
The rules
Is my classic car exempt from an MOT?
A vehicle first registered more than 40 years ago is classed as a Vehicle of Historic Interest and is exempt from MOT testing, provided it has not been substantially changed in the previous 30 years. The exemption rolls forward each year, so a car built in 1986 became exempt in 2026 and a car built in 1987 will follow it next year.
Exemption is self-declared. You tell DVLA when you tax the vehicle, using the V112 declaration, rather than being issued a certificate. Exemption does not remove the legal requirement for the vehicle to be roadworthy, it's still an offence to drive a car in a dangerous condition, MOT or no MOT.
Pre-emissions-era vehicles are not subject to the modern emissions test applied to newer cars, so a voluntary test on an older classic is adjusted for its age rather than measured against current standards.
Why bother
Why put an exempt classic through an MOT anyway?
Because exemption is about paperwork, not roadworthiness. An MOT at RH Automotive gives an independent check of the brakes, steering and structure, which many owners want for their own peace of mind and which insurers and valuers often ask to see. It also builds a documented history for the car, which matters if you ever come to sell it.
RH Automotive tests exempt classics voluntarily at the same Class 4 price as any other car, with no restoration, bodywork or paint carried out here, just a careful, honest roadworthiness check.
Older vehicles
Testing that understands older cars
Classic cars aren't built like modern ones, and they don't get tested like modern ones either. RH Automotive takes the time to understand what's original, what's been maintained, and what actually needs attention.
Ignition and fuelling
Carburettors, and points-and-condenser ignition systems on earlier cars, are checked on their own terms rather than compared against modern fuel injection.
Brakes
Drum brakes are common on older classics and are inspected properly, not treated as inferior to the discs fitted to newer cars.
Suspension and steering
Older suspension and steering designs are assessed against how they were built to work, with wear judged accordingly.
Corrosion and structure
A careful look at load-bearing areas and structural integrity, which matters more on an older bodyshell than almost anything else.
Straight answers
Classic car MOT questions we get asked
Does exemption mean my classic doesn't need to be roadworthy?
No. Exemption removes the legal requirement to have an MOT, but the vehicle still has to be roadworthy every time it's driven. It's a criminal offence to drive a car in a dangerous condition whether or not it needs an MOT.
Do classic cars have to pass an emissions test?
Pre-emissions-era vehicles are not subject to the modern MOT emissions test applied to newer cars. When RH Automotive tests an exempt classic voluntarily, the check is adjusted for the vehicle's age rather than measured against current standards.
Price
What does a classic car MOT cost?
| Test | Covers | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Car MOT (voluntary) | Any exempt classic, tested to the standard Class 4 fee | £45.00The DVSA maximum fee for a Class 4 MOT is £54.85. We charge less. |
MOT test fees are not subject to VAT. Not sure if your car is exempt? Call us with the registration and we'll check.
Building a track car, or need it MOT'd too?
RH Automotive prepares cars for track days as well as testing classics, and we handle brakes and suspension work on both.
Related services
Also at RH Automotive
For mechanical work after the test, see the car repairs RH Automotive carries out, each one quoted before any work starts.
Race & Track Preparation
Preparation and checks for cars heading to a track day or event.
Race and track prepBrakes & Suspension
Careful work on older braking and suspension systems, quoted before we start.
Brakes and suspensionCar Servicing
Interim, full and major services at fixed prices, for classics and daily drivers alike.
Servicing pricesBook online
Tell us what you need and we’ll call you back to confirm a slot. It takes about a minute. Prefer to talk? Call 01494 471017.
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