Registering a Classic or Antique Car (2024)

FAQs

What passes as a classic car? ›

Some enthusiasts think classic cars have timeless design, technological or nostalgic value, and embrace the idea of modern classics. But if you're using car tax exemption as a cut-off point, then any car that's aged 40 years or older is a classic – even if it's not very desirable.

With classic ownership, it's fair to say that life begins at forty. Find yourself a vehicle past its ruby jubilee, and you'll no longer have to fork out on Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), or the annual MOT test, as it'll qualify for Vehicle of Historical Interest (VHI) status.

It's a Classic

For a car to be considered a classic, it must be more than 20 years old, in good condition and true to the original design.

Send a completed V62 form and the RF60 form if you want to register a historic vehicle in Northern Ireland. DVLA will register the vehicle and issue a new V5C to the registered keeper. You should receive this within 4 weeks.

Depending on your circ*mstances, your classic could be subject to 40% inheritance tax, which is why it's important to ensure that you've considered what will happen to your prized possession after you pass away.

Generally speaking, insurance companies require that your classic vehicle be a minimum of 25 years in age, though there are some exceptions.

For insurance and registration purposes, the age of a classic car, in most cases, is at least 20 years old but not more than 40 years old. If you are going to register it (and insure it) as a classic, it should have been kept to its original design and specifications.

The Antique Automobile Club of America notes classics must be older than 25 years (with cars over 45 years old known as antiques), whereas insurance providers have a wide range of classifications.

Antique car definition: Antique cars are more loosely defined as being at least 25 to 45 years old, depending on the organization.

Usually, the classic car moniker applies to vehicles over 20 years old. Antique cars are over 45 years old, and vintage cars are built between 1919 and 1930. But as with many subjects in the motoring world, not everyone can agree on a single definition.

How many years does it take for a car to become an antique? ›

Antique Car: Manufactured 1975 or earlier (>45 years old). Either a “survivor” or restored in conformance to the original manufacturer specifications. Classic Car: Manufactured 2000 or earlier (>20 years old)

If your classic vehicle is 30 years of age or older, you may be eligible for classic vehicle registration. Find out how to apply.

Lost your V5C form or simply don't have one? It's actually entirely possible (and 100% legal) to sell a car and transfer ownership without a V5C document. Most people do not realise that the vehicle logbook is a record of the registered keeper, not proof of ownership.

If the vehicle does not have a V5C

Download form V62 and send it to DVLA to register the vehicle in your name. You'll have to pay £25. Contact DVLA if you do not receive anything 6 weeks after sending in form V62.

You can apply to stop paying for vehicle tax from 1 April 2022 if your vehicle was built before 1 January 1982. You must tax your vehicle even if you do not have to pay. If you do not know when your vehicle was built, but it was first registered before 8 January 1982, you can still apply to stop paying vehicle tax.

Car Investing Risks

Restoring a seven-figure car to concours condition—generally considered bringing an older car to showroom-new condition using original or exact recreations of parts, paint, and bodywork — can cost another seven figures. Then there are ongoing maintenance costs, storage expenses, and insurance.

Good news! Most cars are exempt from Capital Gains Tax (CGT), even classics. Why? Simply because they are deemed 'wasting assets' with a lifespan of under 50 years.

Classic car insurance is designed for secondary vehicles; it's not meant to cover a car you drive for everyday use. If your classic or collector car is your primary ride, you'll need to cover it with a standard auto insurance policy.

Classic car insurance is often cheaper than standard policies, mostly because insurers see classic cars as a lower risk of being involved in a claim. Many classic car insurers recognise that older vehicles have lower speed limits and classic car owners tend to keep their car well looked after.

Are classics cheaper to insure? ›

Classic car insurance is usually much cheaper than regular car insurance. According to Baily Insurance Agency, a classic car policy costs around $200 to $600 annually. If you own an abnormally expensive vehicle, your rates may be higher. In contrast, regular car insurance usually costs over $1000 per year.

In short, any car that's aged 40 years or older is considered to be a classic car, or in official terms, a 'historic vehicle'.

In the strictest sense, the difference between an antique and a vintage item is its age. Antiques are items which must be at least 100 years old.

If a car was manufactured after 1980, it is considered a collector car. A new generation of classic car buyers and sellers is coming to the market, and the term "classic car" is starting to include cars from the 80s and 90s.

Reliability fades with age

Even when mileage is low, the older a car gets, the less reliable it becomes. Modern cars are much more reliable, even as they age. Five-year-old cars record what is considered a major problem every three years, while 10-year-old cars are more likely to face a problem every 18 to 20 months.

A vehicle's age is the key factor in determining car depreciation – that's how much value the car loses over time. The older a vehicle, the less it's worth. Again, this is because it's more likely to need repairs at some point, but also because it will fall behind the standards of newer models.

At a Glance: As a rule of thumb, a used car should have no more than 12,000 miles for each year since the car was originally bought.

Classic Cars in America

As a generalisation, the classic car status applies to vehicles over 20 years old. Antique cars over 45 years old and vintage cars are built between 1919 and 1930.

In short, an antique is 100 yearsor older, while vintage is younger,though typically still prior to 1999. It's a relatively simple distinction,but not necessarily as importantas you think it might be. The age of a piece doesn'tdirectly correlate to value.

If you do not have a V5C or new keeper slip

If you're the current keeper, you must apply for a replacement V5C and tax your vehicle at a Post Office. If you're the new keeper, you cannot tax your vehicle without a new keeper slip. You'll need to apply for a new V5C by post.

How do I change ownership of a vehicle without logbook? ›

You'll need to reapply for the document with the DVLA, either by phone or post using a completed V62 form. If you choose to sell the vehicle without a log book, your prospective buyer won't be able to apply for a new V5C document over the phone.

A car's logbook is also known as its V5C. It's a red document that details information on the car, as well as specifying who is responsible for taxing and registering it. Although it's both possible and legal to buy a car and have that car's ownership transferred without a log book, we wouldn't recommend doing so.

Go to your nearest registering authority and bring along your identity document and complete the DRC (Application for Duplicate Registration/Deregistration Certificate in respect of Motor Vehicle) and form DCT (Declaration in respect of Lost Documents). Bear in mind that only a title holder can request a duplicate.

How fast can I get a V5C? The time required for receiving a log book directly depends on how exactly the owner purchased the car: Buying it from a dealership or manufacturer — 1-2 weeks; Buying a used car — 4-6 weeks.

You must update your vehicle log book (V5C) if you change your name or address. It's usually free to update it. You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA when your name or address changes.

All vehicles that have a historic vehicle tax class are exempt from the ULEZ. This tax class excludes any vehicle used commercially (for example, coffee vans or street food vans).

How To Make a Declaration. To declare your car or motorcycle as a Vehicle of Historic Interest, MOT exempt and tax exempt, you need to apply at a Post Office with: the log book (V5C in your name) a valid MOT certificate or a completed V112 MOT exemption form.

In short, any car that's aged 40 years or older is considered to be a classic car, or in official terms, a 'historic vehicle'.

Usually, the classic car moniker applies to vehicles over 20 years old. Antique cars are over 45 years old, and vintage cars are built between 1919 and 1930. But as with many subjects in the motoring world, not everyone can agree on a single definition.

How many years does it take for a vehicle to be considered a classic? ›

The starting classic car age range can generally be anywhere from a minimum of 10 to 25 years old, but there's no agreed-upon minimum age that categorizes a car as a classic. Insurance companies, car collecting clubs, and state BMVs and DMVs all have their own methods for defining a classic car.

We wouldn't go too far beyond the mid- to late-1990s for any car, as parts can be harder to find once a car crests 20 years old. For vehicles with more than 150,000 miles on the odometer, we might recommend trying to find a newer model year than the late 1990s.

Vehicles generally become eligible for MOT exemption from the date they become 40 years old.

As we mentioned above, the Antique Auto Club of America says “antique” cars are those that are 25 years old or older. By contrast, American Collectors Insurance says an antique car is one manufactured in 1975 or earlier.

A collector car's value is appraised according to its rarity, condition, restoration quality, and market demand. The economic principle of supply and demand applies to classic cars, just as they would to any vehicle or valuable assets such as other precious collectibles.