Substantial Change Guidance & MOT Exemptions

You do not need to get an MOT if the vehicle was built or first registered more than 40 years ago and no ‘substantial changes’ have been made to the vehicle in the last 30 years, for example replacing the chassis, body, axles or engine to change the way the vehicle works.

V55/5 Simple Guide

Full guidance relating to substantial changes was published following the announcement of changes to the MOT regime for vehicles of historic interest.

‘Substantial change’ criteria - main vehicle components (excluding motorcycles)

  • Substantial Change applies to:

    Axles and running gear

    Alteration of the type or method of suspension

    Alteration of the type or method of steering

    However it does not count as a ‘substantial change’ if:

    axles and running gear have been changed to improve efficiency, safety or environmental performance

    Other ‘substantial change’ criteria (all vehicles)

    Has been given a ‘Q’ registration number

    Is a kit car assembled from components from different makes and model of vehicle

    Is a reconstructed classic vehicle as defined by DVLA guidance

    Is a kit conversion, where a kit of new parts is added to an existing vehicle, or old parts are added to a kit of a manufactured body, chassis or monocoque bodyshell, which changes the general appearance of the vehicle

  • Not Substantial Change

    Chassis

    Chassis replacements of the same pattern as the original are not considered to be a substantial change

    Monocoque bodyshell

    Replacements of the same pattern as the original are not considered to be a substantial change (including any sub-frames

    Engine

    Alternative cubic capacities of the same basic engine and alternative original equipment engines are not considered to be a substantial change

    If the number of cylinders in an engine is different from the original it’s likely to be, but not necessarily, the case that the current engine is not alternative original equipment.

    Acceptable changes

    It does not count as a ‘substantial change’ if:

    changes are made to preserve a vehicle because the original type parts are no longer reasonably available

    they are changes of a type which can be demonstrated to have been made when vehicles of the type were in production or within 10 years of the end of production

    axles and running gear have been changed to improve efficiency, safety or environmental performance

    changes were made to vehicles that were previously used as commercial vehicles, and you can prove the changes were made when the vehicle was used commercially