Andy Burnham must look at one crucial motoring rule in his first days as Prime Minister. If he doesn’t, thousands of drivers won’t forgive him. Cars older than 40 years old are completely exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) fees due to historic tax exemption rules. It's an incredible benefit and a massive boost for classic car owners.
Vehicles registered between 1986 and 2001 are charged based on engine size, with owners paying up to £375 per year to use the roads. Meanwhile, cars as much as 25 years old registered just after 2001 are paying £790. That's an astronomical fee for a car that has been on UK roads for a quarter of a century.
Earlier this year, a new Parliament petition demanded the Introduction of a 50% VED discount for cars aged 20–39 years old. Campaigners stressed this would put an end to a “disposable” car culture, possibly stopping motorists from simply throwing away old models.
There is certainly an argument that hefty VED rates for older cars will force many well-maintained cars to be scrapped early.
When some older car owners are paying £790, vehicles registered after 2017 pay just £200 to use the roads. Do the maths and it's simple to see why older cars are being forgotten.
Campaigners also rightly argued that keeping a functional 20-year-old car on the road is greener than building a new one. It’s just a shame that Labour doesn't seem to have had the memo. In February, the Treasury silenced the debate by simply adding they had “no plans” to cut costs for cars in this age bracket.
They explained that revenue from motoring taxes helps to fund the vital public services and infrastructure. It all boils down to money.
Tell that to the 52,000 individuals who have signed the poll already. It would only take another 48,000 before August to trigger a Parliament debate on the issue. What would Labour say then?
In a modern world of mostly copy-and-paste battery electric models, older vehicles add a certain character to the roads that Britain should be embracing.
After years of Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer absolutely hammering the wallets of motorists in the UK, Mr Burnham will want to start on a positive footing.
Giving this idea a second consideration could be the ideal start. If he doesn’t, the 52,000 motorists passionate enough to back the plan will not forget his decision.