Are you a car lover who dreams of having a wonderful classic car of your own?
How about a cool vintage camper van? Or do you want take the whole family for a spin in a classic American sedan? Maybe you're more into high-performance muscle cars? The range of classic cars on offer is very broad. And thanks to recent Belgian classic car legislation, you can now get more enjoyment from your favourite old car than before!
What exactly do we mean by 'classic car'?
Any car which is at least 30 years old can be registered as a classic car. When you buy the car, it needs to undergo a classic car inspection. This vehicle inspection is much less extensive than the standard technical inspection for cars that are used for everyday purposes. Your car will then receive a registration number starting with the letter 'O'.
How often does your classic car need to be inspected?
- Vehicles that are 30 to 50 years old: every two years
- Vehicles that are over 50 years old: every five years
What is and isn’t allowed?
However, there are rules you must follow. If your vehicle is certified as a classic car, the following is prohibited:
- Commercial or professional use
- Commuting to and from work and school
- Paid transport, or free transport that is equivalent to paid passenger transport
- Use as a tool or resource for work or in the event of an emergency
This means that you are not permitted to carry out any trading activities with your classic car, such as using it as a taxi or a luxury vehicle in return for payment. It is not permitted to use your classic car as a company car either.
Would you rather not have any restrictions? If this is the case, you can have your vehicle technically inspected for everyday use. It will need to undergo a new inspection each year, however.
Don't make an impulse buy
It is best to prepare thoroughly before you buy your favourite vintage car. This ensures that the classic car of your dreams doesn't turn into a nightmare for your savings.
- Set out a budget in advance. The selling price for a classic car often depends largely on the car's condition. A 'cheap' car may require expensive restoration, and could end up costing more money than a vehicle in mint condition.
- Although the road tax, vehicle registration tax and car insurance payable on a classic car are a good deal cheaper than for a modern car, your classic car may have higher fuel consumption and require more intensive maintenance.
- Of course, it is possible to take out a personal loan before buying a classic car, which allows you to retain your own savings for any contingencies.
- Find out as much as possible about your favourite classic car before you buy it. You can find treasure troves of information about your favourite make and model on websites, discussion forums and Facebook groups.
- And why not join a classic car club? There might even be a club dedicated to your favourite brand! The other members of the club can give you tips and contact details for places where you should buy your car, as well as garage owners and other practical experts who can help maintain your car. You can usually find spare parts more quickly and cheaply through the club too.
A few tips on how to assess a classic car
Have you found what might be the car of your dreams? Make sure you inspect the car thoroughly. If you aren't an expert, you should make sure you bring someone with you who knows a bit about old cars and what can go wrong with them.
- Check whether there is any (severe) rust (under the wheel arches, below the doors, on the underbody and so on). Run a magnet along the bodywork. If you find any places where the magnet is not attracted to the metal, that may be a sign of unprofessional bodywork repairs.
- Do all the engine parts work properly?
- Is the interior still in good condition?
- Are there any puddles of oil underneath the car?
- Are the necessary vehicle documents available? When buying a classic car in Belgium, these are the registration certificate, the most recent vehicle inspection certificate, and the uniformity certificate (for cars built in 1966 or later).
- Ask to see the invoices for maintenance and parts.
- Make sure you take the car for a test drive and ask to take the car to an inspection pit so you can inspect the underside.
- Do you have a covered parking space? Rain and wind can be unkind to classic cars.
And last but not least... enjoy!
With any luck, you'll find the classic car of your dreams. Look after your vintage car and drive carefully. Happy driving!
