NEWS, V8 Register - MG Car Club, MG owners, MG owner, support and services for all MG V8 enthusiasts and owners, MGBGTV8 and MGB GT V8 for sale, Costello MGBV8 for sale, MG RV8 for sale, MG RV8 buying guide, MGBGTV8 and MGB GT V8 buying guide, MGV8 price guide, MG SV, MG X80, MG ZT260V8, MG owners, MG enthusiasts

ULEZ driven demand for classic cars?

See our earlier News item on the expansion of the ULEZ zone in Greater London. More

Fellow member's comment
An interesting point, I have also noticed dealers now highlighting which of their stock are ULEZ compliant. I do not think there will be much of a swing to using classic cars all the same, although exemption from VED for Historic cars would be an additional incentive. Apparently most petrol cars registered after 2005 are compliant and the earliest compliant ones date from about 2001, so I would have thought that if drivers were forced into changing a non-compliant car, they would find a suitable and cheaper car dating from that sort of era as a better prospect than an a classic car. They would have conveniences such as heated rear windows, central locking, air conditioning and intermittent wipers whose absence would be missed on a classic car.

I do hope that there is no move to the use of classic cars on a daily basis, we are fortunate in this country that we have many worthwhile concessions for Historic vehicles without any restrictions on their use, and we argue that these concessions encourage the preservation of our cultural heritage without incurring much expense, since Historic vehicles typically do a very low mileage. Too many cars being used like classic MGBs and Volvos and other makes rather undermines that argument!

Posted: 240410


Adverts for classic cars are appearing with a corner alert - "ULEZ EXEMPT" This may be well intended information for potential classic car enthusiasts thinking of getting a classic car like an MGB or a Volvo, but it may encourage daily drivers faced with paying a daily ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) charge for their current car (if it's a non compliant low emission vehicle) to think about buying a classic car which is ULEZ exempt. In the last year the ULEZ zone has been extended to the outer areas of Greater London, touching the M25 orbital motorway. At a time when the rising cost of living, having the additional burden of a daily £12.50 charge to drive in the ULEZ area is a heavy burden. So what are the options - buy a new or secondhand ULEZ compliant vehicle?	What is the annual burden of the ULEZ charge with a non compliant vehicle? Assuming the vehicle is driven on a daily weekday basis and three weekend days a month, that would be a total ULEZ cost of £3,700 a year. Saving with a ULEZ compliant vehicle The daily use of a classic car could see breakdowns or maintenance costs but if the payback period is not lengthy then the approach may be to drive the classic until it dies! And then get another?
Classic car enthusiasts' concerns Many enthusiasts will have concerns over the possible impact on both the availability and price of popular classic cars if alternative buyers appear buying compliant vehicles which can access the low emission zone without a charge - and have the added benefit of VED exemption for an Historic vehicle - as a way of having more affordable access. Buying a newer compliant car would require a larger layout, say £12,000 to £15,000 less the proceeds from the sale of their existing non compliant vehicle. A particularly attractive segment of the classic car market for younger enthusiasts are the early classic "modern hatches" - like VWs and Fords - so the additional demand in that market from daily drivers trying to find an affordable way of avoiding the ULEZ charge would not be welcome for those younger enthusiasts. See a fellow members' useful comment alongside.