Re: MoT

["Rodda, Simon, RODDASW" <simon.rodda@domain.elided>]

	Ok, the current situation is this.  The MoT (yes, it does/did stand
for Ministry of Transport, but I think they're now called something =
else -
Dept. of Transport or "Vehicle Inspectorate", I think) test is =A321, I =
think,
and yes, there is a smog check, of sorts, but only for cars over a =
certain
age. I'm afraid I cannot remember what that is.  However, my 1964 =
Austin
Cambridge ('agricultural' cast-iron engine) passes the emission test =
(but
doesn't have to!) and many other cars, of the 1990 vintage, don't.  I =
was
once failed for a loose muffler bolt (they're not allowed to tighten it
during the 'test')

	I think that the Isles of Scilly (40 miles off Land's End; I can see
it from here on a good day!) is still exempt from MoT's.  SO, anything =
which
is bordering on illegal/dangerous here, can be legally driven there.  =
The
Army used to do training there every summer, and they would dump old =
cars in
the sea with a helicopter for the residents.  But they don't do that
anymore, thankfully.  I think (not sure) that the position of MoTs is =
still
the same though.

	Oh - the MoT is only considered a test that the car is roadworthy at
the time of the test.  It is not meant to signify any form of =
compliance
after it! scary.

	Finally - the tax disc is now =A3140 ($240ish) and is likely to get
pushed ever higher as our Govt. are determined to force us out of our =
cars,
and into the inadequate/non existant public transport system.

	Simon

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