The vast majority of classic and specialist car owners are against the Department for Transport’s anti-tampering proposals that would outlaw tampering with a system, part or component of a vehicle intended or adapted to be used on the road, a new survey has found.
The poll by classic and enthusiast vehicle insurance specialist, Footman James, shows that 84 per cent of the 4,500 respondents are opposed to the proposal.
The government’s consultation report entitled, ‘Future of transport regulatory review: modernising vehicle standards’ was published on 12 November 2021.
Proposed offences affecting classic car owners include supplying, installing, or advertising a ‘tampering product’, reducing the effectiveness of, or rendering inoperative a system, part or component (and advertising such services) and allowing use or providing a vehicle that has had the operations described in the previous two points performed on it.
Related: Consultation on plans to ban vehicle ‘tampering’ closes
Managing director of Footman James, David Bond said: “The proposals by the government are hopefully in their infancy as they appear somewhat ill-thought-out.
“The classic vehicle industry not only accounts for less than one per cent of vehicle emissions in the UK but also generates £7.2 billion worth of economic activity every year, which is only increasing.
“The offences described in this report could be applied to all vehicle restoration, modification, and competition preparation services with potential to jeopardise not only the economic benefits we feel from the classic vehicle scene but the immense cultural and historical record that enthusiasts inadvertently look after and display.”
With 16 per cent of 4,500 poll respondents – representing a wide cross-section of classic and specialist vehicle owners – agreeing with the government’s latest anti-tampering regulations, Footman James’ clients are clearly not reassured by the new proposals.
David Bond continued: “I hope the classic vehicle industry comes together, not to beat the government down on what appear to be good, future-proofing intentions, but to seek greater clarity on what dispensations classic vehicles could be entitled to.
“Much like the MOT and road tax exemption for vehicles over 40 years old, it feels that the government could consider this cut-off age to ‘anti-tampering’ restrictions.”
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Garry Wilson, chief executive officer of the HCVA said: “This is aimed at new vehicles but had inadvertent ramifications for our sector.
“We have asked that classic vehicles are exempted from the bill, which is supported by a range of members of parliament we have met.
“However, the point on secondary legislation could be easily missed, possibly allowing a future Secretary of State to make future changes to the bill that could see any exemptions overridden.
“The HCVA have requested that any future changes to the bill be returned to Parliament to be reviewed and thus enabling any changes to be investigated.
“This is the key work that we do for the sector and hence why we need support from the industry and owners alike to join us.”
Alongside the references to road-going vehicles, the report also stipulates these potential offences will apply to the tampering of Non-Road Mobile Machinery.
