I have just read this with some intrigue. I have recently purchased a (non-MV) 1975 ERF.
Whilst strictly speaking it requires an MOT the response from the Historic Commercial Vehicle Society was “we don’t know”, as many members have been able to tax non-mot’d post 1960 trucks with no issue. I always thought either at the post office or online if you could’t prove it had an MOT it wouldn’t allow you to tax it. Possibly a glitch in their checks when a truck is listed at private light goods / personal use / historic exempt???
The idea that it should also meet current legislation is extremely daunting, not to mention expensive.
As mentioned by many, we just average people, not millionaires with a money tree.
I am lucky in the fact i do have access to a commercial vehicle workshop, pit and brake tester to ensure it is safe to use and meets the acceptable standards to be road worthy, brakes, tyres, lights, etc....
I hadn’t actually confirmed the MOT aspect prior to purchase as I already know a few people with 70s trucks running as MOT exempt, school boy error on my behalf.
A lot more research required on my behalf now to find out exactly which aspects of the MOT i need to comply with.
It is a chassis cab so i have a blank canvas so to speak but like many of you i don’t want to lose its originality.