Sorry, you can't. At its introduction, the road exemption for historic vehicles applied to any vehicle 25 years old or more. But this changed in the spring budget of 1998: now only vehicles built prior to January 1, 1973 qualify for zero tax. Vehicles built after this date have to pay car tax as normal.
This change in the road licensing regulations sneaked through almost unnoticed as the news headlines tended to concentrate on other issues, like mortgage rates and income tax.
The important point to remember is that the cut off date applies to when the vehicle was manufactured. Not when it was first registered. For example, a Land Rover registered in June 1973 could well have been built in late 1972, and qualify for exemption.
To check a manufacture date, contact the Heritage Motor Centre or visit their web site. They can supply a detailed and certified Heritage Certificate for Land Rovers and other famous classic British marques for £33. The archive department searches against the chassis number in the authentic factory ledgers to discover the original numbers and colour scheme, dates of build and despatch, and, where available, the details of factory fitted equipment.
This change in the road licensing regulations sneaked through almost unnoticed as the news headlines tended to concentrate on other issues, like mortgage rates and income tax.
The important point to remember is that the cut off date applies to when the vehicle was manufactured. Not when it was first registered. For example, a Land Rover registered in June 1973 could well have been built in late 1972, and qualify for exemption.
To check a manufacture date, contact the Heritage Motor Centre or visit their web site. They can supply a detailed and certified Heritage Certificate for Land Rovers and other famous classic British marques for £33. The archive department searches against the chassis number in the authentic factory ledgers to discover the original numbers and colour scheme, dates of build and despatch, and, where available, the details of factory fitted equipment.