FAQ

Key Facts

  • What are the definitions of 'historic' and 'classic' vehicles?

    There is no absolute definition for historic and classic vehicles but the HCVA considers that once enthusiasm for a vehicle is such that owners gather to help each other restore, preserve and enjoy it, it is a classic – regardless of its age.

    For legislation, of course, more precise definitions are required – but there is much confusion:

    40+ years – cut-off recognised by DVLA/VOSA for “Historic Vehicle” tax and MoT exemption in UK

    30+ years – cut-off recognised by FIVA internationally and accepted by HMRC for VAT exemptions

    20+ years – cut-off recognised by FIVA internationally as Youngtimer classics

    15+ years – cut-off recognised by some insurance companies for reduced-rate classic insurance, and by HMRC for certain taxation matters with value of £15,000+

    Variable – HMRC will allow the VAT exemption on import for cars under 30 years old if a car is of historic interest, defined as having been involved in a historic event or a racing car that has achieved significant sporting success.

    What needs doing to mitigate these risks?

    We have created this non-profit organisation for a single purpose - to do everything that can be done to protect the future for us all.

    Aside from our campaigning side we are also working to increase customer confidence in our industry - reliable common standards, effective consumer protection and a code of conduct.

    So joining is a sensible and pragmatic response to what we are all facing. We’re taking our futures, and the prospects of generations to come, in our hands.

    Why should the HCVA be the organisation taking on these tasks?

    We will represent a broad cross section of the industry and enthusiasts. We have a clear mission and a campaign mindset and will be a unifying voice.

    We respect the values and work of other organisations and will work with them in a spirit of collaboration in pursuit of shared goals. 

  • What are the threats facing classic cars and vehicles?

    There are three priority issues for the world of historic and classic vehicles.

    There’s a widespread misconception that classic vehicles are environmentally unfriendly. We need to make sure policy makers have all the facts.

    The unintended consequences of Brexit include a web of confusion around the movement of vehicles and parts between the UK and EU and a threat to the viability of events both at home and abroad. Over 100,000 skilled jobs are at risk if the prospects of the classic and historic vehicle sector are threatened - jobs that promote sustainability, preservation, restoration and reuse.

    How could these threats affect me as a business in the sector?

    The combination of extra costs involved in business with Europe, with environmentally-focused legislation leading to restrictions on usage and additional costs for our customers to own and run a classic vehicle, plus worries over future availability of suitable fuels, is inexorably chipping away at the market.

    Unless we act swiftly to reverse these trends, the historic vehicle market will shrink and businesses will become unviable

    What's your plan to protect the industry and owners?

    We will campaign to demonstrate the threats to our industry from the unintended consequences of Brexit, misunderstandings about environmental credentials and other issues.

    We will engage the media to highlight the worst examples of EU red tape, present the truth about classics’ carbon emissions in comparison to modern vehicles and comprehensively audit the threat to jobs.

    Our broad base of membership from across the industry, owners and the public will be our launching pad to engage those in power.

    Why should I join the HCVA?

    If you love classics, are a passionate believer in our industry and want to play your part in protecting it, then the HCVA offers you a unique opportunity to be heard.

    If you think you would regret it if our sector was to wither and future generations were denied the opportunity to enjoy classics and pursue careers working with them, then joining HCVA is a way to help stop that happening.

The charts on this page bring together some of the most important facts and figures about the scale, economics, environmental impact and employment stats for our sector.

They correct some myths and misconceptions and put the importance of the historic and classic vehicles industry into perspective. Two recent reports provide the basis for the data below. The FBHVC carried out a detailed survey in 2015, 2018 and 2020 using the internationally recognised FIVA 'historic vehicle' definition of over thirty years old which included 1.54 million vehicles. HERO released a report in December 2020 compiled for them by the CEBR which included an additional 1.47 million 'classic vehicles' over fifteen years old, based on HMRC definitions of a classic car - giving a total of 3.01 million classic and historic vehicles.

Sources - [1] is the HERO report, [2] is the FBHVC 2020 report.

  • 3.01 million – total UK historic and classic vehicle fleet [1]
    1.54 million - historic vehicles in the UK [1+2]

  • 1.47 million – classic vehicles in the UK [1]
    700,000 - owners of Historic vehicles over 30 years old [1]

  • £18.3 billion – annual turnover of the whole sector [1]
    £12.6 billion – estimated value of the UK’s fleet of classic and historic vehicles [1]
    £2.9 billion – annual tax revenue generated by the sector [1]

  • £2.24 billion – total value of classic and historic vehicle sales in 2019 [1]
    £1.57 billion – total value of classic and historic car sales in 2019 [1]
    £1.08 billion – Classic vehicle owners spend on insurance in 2019 [1]

Sources - [1] is the HERO report.

  • 7,200 miles - UK car average mileage [3]

  • 1,200 miles - UK classic vehicle average mileage [2]

Sources - [2] is the FBHVC 2020 report, [3] is the Department for Transport.

  • 563kg of CO2 emissions produced annually by the average historic or classic vehicle. That’s around 20% of the emissions from using a computer and a mobile phone for a year. [1]

  • The average number of times historic/classic vehicles are taken for a drive annually is 16. [2]

Sources - [1] is the HERO report, [2] is the FBHVC 2020 report.

  • 113,000 – jobs that depend on the sector [1]

  • Just 665 apprenticeships within the industry [1]

Sources - [1] is the HERO report.