Micro-cars NCT exempt?

Lorraine77

I've seen ads for electric and diesel micro-cars (500cc) that say they are NCT exempt. They're not listed on the NCT website as being an exempt vehicle. Does anyone know the status of these cars?

Supergurrier

Those aren't cars though.

Just an embarrassing way to die.

Lorraine77

lol! That's very helpful Supergurrier.

ba_barabus

Aren't they quads?

the_syco

Lorraine77 wrote: »

I've seen ads for electric and diesel micro-cars (500cc) that say they are NCT exempt. They're not listed on the NCT website as being an exempt vehicle. Does anyone know the status of these cars?

Are they allowed legally on the road, do they need a registration plate, and is there a limit to their speed?

dgt

Classed as a quadricycle?

forestgray

dgt wrote: »

Classed as a quadricycle?

Yes. That's their trick.

Lorraine77

the_syco wrote: »

Are they allowed legally on the road, do they need a registration plate, and is there a limit to their speed?

They have registration plates. I've heard it said they're quadricycles and can be driven on a motorcycle licence or car licence. Here are some on autotrader http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/aixam

They have to do an MOT in Britain. I don't know why they wouldn't be allowed on the road! Here's an electric version for sale in Ireland - you can see it says NCT Exempt http://www.carzone.ie/search/Aixam/Mega-City/Electric/201301220756642/advert?channel=CARS

CiniO

forestgray wrote: »

Yes. That's their trick.

If B1 licence existed in Ireland, they could be driven on it.

Lorraine77

I've seen them classed as a quadricycle - wouldn't that make them illegal on the roads? How can they be NCT exempt as a quad but still allowed on the road!

Lorraine77

the_syco wrote: »

Are they allowed legally on the road, do they need a registration plate, and is there a limit to their speed?

To the best of my knowledge they're legally allowed on the road. Definitely have reg plates. Not sure how they're allowed on the road though if it's true that they're classed as a quad. Here's an electric one: http://www.carzone.ie/search/Aixam/Mega-City/Electric/201301220756642/advert?channel=CARS

ba_barabus

Lorraine77 wrote: »

I've seen them classed as a quadricycle - wouldn't that make them illegal on the roads? How can they be NCT exempt as a quad but still allowed on the road!

Quads can be used on the roads

the_syco

Could you link to one of the ads?

Alanstrainor

Lorraine77 wrote: »

To the best of my knowledge they're legally allowed on the road. Definitely have reg plates. Not sure how they're allowed on the road though if it's true that they're classed as a quad. Here's an electric one: http://www.carzone.ie/search/Aixam/Mega-City/Electric/201301220756642/advert?channel=CARS

The price of that too! I'd rather have a ford fiesta for 2 grand than that death trap. And it's rated for 50->70km, which is a joke, i bet it gets a lot less.

Mycroft H

Alanstrainor wrote: »

The price of that too! I'd rather have a ford fiesta for 2 grand than that death trap. And it's rated for 50->70km, which is a joke, i bet it gets a lot less.

But it has sports suspension. Bargain.

Lorraine77

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/aixam

so they're classed as quads which makes them NCT exempt? Wonder could I insure one on my multibike insurance......

CiniO

From Wikipedia

The company currently produces the Aixam A.7XX series (powered by Kubota diesel engines), a microcar comparable with the Smart. A notable difference is that some of the smaller models are restricted to 45 km/h (30 mph) and can be driven without a driver's licence in some European countries (including Belgium, Estonia, France, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, and Slovenia, but not the UK).[citation needed]

In Britain they are classified as a category L7e quadricycle (quad bike) because of their weight and power output.[3] This requires a category B1 licence to legally drive them.[4] the law has changed in the uk from jan 2013 the car can now be driven by full AM license holders

I suppose that's the main thing that makes them worth for some people - ablity to drive it without driving licence, or just B1 or AM in some countries.

As there is no B1 in Ireland, I wonder if it's possible to drive it with AM licence here - but I doubt it.

I can't really see too much of benefits from being exempt from NCT, except from saving 55 quid a year.

Lorraine77

CiniO wrote: »

From Wikipedia



I suppose that's the main thing that makes them worth for some people - ablity to drive it without driving licence, or just B1 or AM in some countries.

As there is no B1 in Ireland, I wonder if it's possible to drive it with AM licence here - but I doubt it.

I can't really see too much of benefits from being exempt from NCT, except from saving 55 quid a year.

It might take longer to discover you've bought a total turkey!

the_syco

CiniO wrote: »

I can't really see too much of benefits from being exempt from NCT, except from saving 55 quid a year.

From http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/aixam-a751-super-luxe-diesel/6562996

Was Used Behind Camper with Towing Dolly

So I'm thinking it's used as a "2nd" car whilst on holidays, which would make sense, as it'd allow you to drive around whilst the camper is on a caravan site.

Lorraine77 wrote: »

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/aixam

so they're classed as quads which makes them NCT exempt? Wonder could I insure one on my multibike insurance......

Hrm. Seems you can drive one with a scooter license in the UK. I'd say the insurance would be low for one, even over here, as the speed is limited.

Wossack

unless you've a farm, I believe it to be almost impossible to get insurance for quad bikes - presume these would be the same

H3llR4iser

Wossack wrote: »

unless you've a farm, I believe it to be almost impossible to get insurance for quad bikes - presume these would be the same

They are not quad bikes but "motorised quadricycles" that have to comply with a strict set of rules:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorised_quadricycle


As for the "no NCT" part, they follow the same rules that are in place for scooter: if there is no NCT for them, then there isn't any for these "microcars". They can be assimilated to a "Piaggio Ape", if you wish.