The biggest challenge facing the classic car industry according to survey

Footman James, a leading specialist in classic car insurance, has revealed the results of a government call for evidence regarding the future-proofing of classic cars.

This public consultation invited feedback on potential changes to the registration of historic, classic, rebuilt, and electrically converted vehicles.

Footman James actively participated in this process by surveying 500 of their clients, ensuring their voices were heard and represented in the government’s deliberations.

The results provide a clear insight into the views of the classic car community.

• Safety Upgrades and Classic Status: A significant 34% of respondents believe that vehicles should still be classified as classic even after making safety upgrades. This reflects a strong sentiment towards maintaining the heritage of classic vehicles while ensuring modern safety standards. 25.13% of respondents also feel that engine performance upgrades should not affect the status of a classic car.
• Environmental Politics: The survey highlighted that environmental politics is perceived as the biggest challenge facing the classic vehicle industry today. 53.61% of participants cited environmental issues as a major concern, underscoring the need for balanced policies that protect the environment without stifling the passion for classic cars. 
• DVLA Registration Process: Opinions were divided on the current DVLA process for registering classic cars. While 41% of respondents believe that the existing process should remain unchanged, 30.01% see potential benefits in reforming the system. Some participants suggested that changes could facilitate easier registration of barn finds and heavily restored classics, and potentially reduce the age limit for tax and MOT exemption from 40 to 20 years.
• Electric Conversions: The community is split on the topic of electric conversions for classic cars. There is a clear divide between purists who wish to preserve the historical nature of classic vehicles and those who advocate for modernisation to attract younger enthusiasts to the classic car scene.

Footman James submitted these insights to the government as part of their proposal, advocating for a balanced approach that addresses environmental concerns while preserving the rich heritage of classic vehicles.

“With the consultation calling for evidence from the general public and the industry on how to future-proof the industry, we were keen to ensure that our views and our clients’ views were taken into consideration,” said Alison Wild, Marketing Manager at Footman James. “The results of our survey highlight the diverse opinions and priorities of classic car enthusiasts, and we are committed to representing these views in ongoing discussions with policymakers.”