MOT exemption question

[toopy]

Having looked into this a little more it seems the situation is this:
To be exempt, you have to register your car as a vehicle of historic interest. If you don't do this then your position is the same as it is now, free tax and compulsory MoT.
If you do register it, have a voluntary MoT and it fails then you could still drive it, but you have a legal obligation to ensure your vehicle is roadworthy and could lay yourself open to prosecution for using an unroadworthy vehicle.
Because the MoT will be logged on the online system, the authorities will know and it could come up on a police ANPR as having no MoT.
Best advice is if you want to have your vehicle checked, get a professional to check it to MoT standards but don't have a formal MoT.
However, I think I will continue to get my car MOT'd for safety reasons and because it will show any future buyers you have been sensible and responsible with the car.

Dont forget that an MOT is only a check for the road worthiness of the vehicle on that particular day.
Wether the car is 4 or 40 years old, the onus is still on you to maintain it in a safe and road worthy condition i.e. bald tyres and dodgy brakes will still get you in trouble with the law and your insurance company, even if the MOT was passed only a few weeks previous!

The issue is far more relevant IMO for corrosion related issues that may go unnoticed and not so much the less than ideal mechanical condition.
How often do you or someone else get to have a proper good look underneath the vehicle without it being at a garage, either up on a lift or over a pit?!