Is the annual MOT marathon looming?
Classic car enthusiasts were able to breathe a sigh of relief at the end of 2025: the EU Commission had proposed that all cars over ten years old should undergo an annual general inspection (HU) in future – twice as often as before. This would have affected practically every classic vehicle, as our beloved oldies are all „over 30“ and thus well beyond the ten-year limit. The idea caused nervous twitching in many a mechanic's workshop: would we now have to take our shiny chrome treasures to the MOT inspector every year? Would the cosiness of the classic car season be marred by additional appointment stress?
For the time being, we can give the all-clear. In December 2025, the EU transport ministers No said about this initiative. Their main argument: disproportionate burden on car owners – both financially and in terms of time. For classic car enthusiasts, this means that the dreaded annual MOT marathon is off the table for now. But it's too early to breathe a sigh of relief: the discussion is still ongoing in Brussels. The EU Parliament is continuing its debate, and ultimately the Commission, Parliament and Member States will have to find a compromise. So it's still advisable to keep a close eye on the EU ticker – but the classic car community is used to hardship and takes it with a sense of humour.
What do classic car associations say?
The classic car associations and clubs reacted to the annual MOT idea with about as much enthusiasm as a carburettor reacts to water in the tank. In short: rejection across the board. Why? Well, their arguments sound plausible – and are sometimes presented in an amusing way:
Oldies are not speed demons: classic cars are usually only driven in good weather and on special occasions. A Sunday drive here, a meet-up there – on average, classic cars cover barely 1,000 to 2,000 kilometres per year, far less than everyday cars. The Rusty accident risk on wheels, What some bureaucrats may see as old vehicles actually turn out to be well-maintained garage cars. Many oldies spend more time under a cotton car cover than on the road. This begs the question: do vehicles that are so rarely on the road really need twice as many checks?
Well-maintained treasures: Classic cars are usually owned by enthusiasts. Their owners are passionate about them – and take good care of them. Oil changes, polished chrome bumpers, finely adjusted valves – a typical classic car is better looked after than many new cars. Classic car associations emphasise that the vast majority of classic cars are in top condition because no one wears down a valuable classic car in everyday use. Technical defects as the cause of accidents? Almost never! One major insurance company even reported that it was not aware of a single accident caused by a technical defect in a classic car. This means that an additional annual inspection would hardly improve safety, but would increase bureaucracy and costs.
Cultural heritage on wheels: our classic cars are rolling cultural assets. Veteran car clubs and associations such as FIVA (the International Federation of Vintage Vehicles) have repeatedly emphasised in Brussels that historic vehicles are part of our technical cultural heritage. A 50-year-old Benz or Beetle tells a story – you can't just suspect them of being unsafe! The associations argue with a wink: „If annual checks are necessary, then perhaps they should be for the EU think tank itself – our cars have long since proven their safety.“ In short: the scene firmly rejects blanket age discrimination for vehicles.
These points carry considerable weight. Even large automobile clubs such as the ADAC agreed: shorter MOT intervals are not necessary. The data proves the classic car enthusiasts right – their share of accidents and emissions is negligible compared to the rest of the vehicle fleet. Classic cars are not the problem; they are often maintained in an exemplary manner.
The „H“ stands for history – and hope
One letter keeps cropping up throughout the debate: H. In Germany, the H licence plate is the official historical seal for vehicles that are 30 years old or older. It certifies that the car is a classic car in good, original condition. For owners, it is virtually a knighthood – and for authorities, it is a signal that this is a cultural asset worth preserving.
What are the benefits of an H registration plate? First of all, a certain sense of pride, of course. But there are also tangible advantages: classic cars with H registration plates pay a flat-rate tax (around £170 per year, regardless of whether it's a powerful V8 or a tiny VW Beetle). This is particularly good news for owners of thirsty American road cruisers, while thrifty Isetta drivers tend to stick with standard number plates – which explains why not every old-timer has an H. In addition, H-registered vehicles are often cheaper to insure thanks to special classic car rates. And a major advantage is exemption from environmental zones: where modern diesel cars without a green sticker are not allowed to enter, classic cars with H registration plates are usually still permitted. It's clear that the H registration plate is more than just decoration – it's a protective shield for our automotive treasures.
The EU proposal on inspection intervals explicitly provides for exemptions for „historic vehicles“. The EU directive gives member states leeway in how they deal with classic cars. Germany would therefore in all likelihood exempt H-certified classics from new MOT requirements if the annual inspection requirement were to apply to all older vehicles. In other words, our tried-and-tested H model also enjoys a certain degree of trust in Brussels. Of course, Germany must clearly define what constitutes a „historic vehicle“ in case of doubt – the simplest solution would be to consider all cars with H registration plates as such. This would mean that genuine classic cars would continue to be exempt from additional inspection requirements.
To reassure you: so far, there are no plans to change the H licence plate itself. The 30-year limit remains, as do the criteria (original condition, good state of repair). On the contrary, the classic car scene is growing steadily. Every year, new vehicles reach the magic oldie age. Almost one million vehicles in Germany are now over 30 years old, and more than half of them have an H licence plate. And the trend is rising! This shows that the passion for old cars is alive and well and is being promoted by the H registration plate. So as long as the good old parliamentary group „Automobiles Kulturgut“ (yes, it really exists in the German Bundestag!) and committed MEPs such as our classic car friends in Brussels have a say, the H registration plate is on a solid footing.
Where are we going?
What's next in the regulatory saga? First of all, the next round at EU level is scheduled for 2026. Parliament will discuss the new testing regulations, propose amendments – and presumably tone down some of the more excessive ideas. The final decision may not be made until 2026 or 2027. If an EU directive for more frequent vehicle inspections is actually adopted, Germany will first have to transpose it into national law. There is scope to include exceptions for classic cars – and our legislators will certainly use this to protect our cultural heritage on wheels. It is even conceivable that, through skilful negotiation, classic cars will not be burdened any more heavily in the end, but will, in the best case scenario, remain in the same position as before. Some optimists even hope that the debate could remind politicians that they should consider making things easier for historic vehicles – for example, longer intervals between MOTs, as other countries are doing. Why not introduce a five-year MOT for oldies? If we're going to discuss it, then let's do it calmly. which Direction!
In addition to MOT intervals, there are other regulatory developments that classic car enthusiasts are keeping an eye on. For example, the EU is working on a revision of the End-of-Life Vehicles Directive to make it easier to remove scrap cars from circulation. In the meantime, rumours have been circulating in the scene that Brussels is even planning to compulsory scrapping old vehicles – which fortunately turned out to be nonsense. In fact, only exports of scrap cars are to be made more difficult, which hardly affects serious classic car owners. In addition, issues such as stricter emissions tests during the general inspection are on the agenda. For example, future checks could measure particles more precisely – but for a well-tuned classic car engine that rarely runs, this should not be a problem either. The motto is: stay tuned, but stay calm.
Conclusion: A positive outlook for the future
Despite some excitement, classic car enthusiasts can engage in discussions with cautious optimism The current situation is encouraging: a general annual MOT requirement for classic cars has become unlikely, and our beloved H registration plate continues to represent free passage and recognition on the roads. Of course, vigilance is still required – it goes without saying that associations and clubs will continue to keep an eye on what regulators are up to. But the passion for classic vehicles is a powerful lobbyist: it unites young and old, tinkering enthusiasts and politicians of all stripes who are committed to preserving automotive culture.
With this in mind, let's stay positive. Our old-timer will remain with us – with its charm, its H registration plate and its next MOT appointment at the usual time. And should a bureaucrat once again come up with the idea of imposing additional hurdles on our beloved vehicles, we will be ready – with good arguments, a smile and, if necessary, a chrome-plated spanner (symbolically, of course!). Because one thing is certain: classic cars are more than just old cars. They are history on wheels, and that is not something that can be easily eradicated – neither every two years nor every year. With this in mind, we wish you a safe journey into the new year and much enjoyment with your classic cars, without any additional MOT stress!