Hit the road in your classic car
If you’re a car enthusiast who dreams of having a wonderful classic car of your own, we can help make that dream a reality. What exactly is a classic car, what should you look out for when buying, and what are the risks? Get up to speed in just a few minutes!
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 vehicle, it has to undergo a classic car inspection. This inspection is much less extensive than the standard technical inspection for cars that are used for everyday purposes. Once the inspection has been taken care of, you’ll 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?
You are allowed to drive your classic car throughout the day and night, with no limits on distance driven.
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 you are not allowed to perform commercial activities with your classic car, such as using it as a taxi or luxury vehicle in return for payment. You are not allowed to use your classic car as a company car either.
If you don't want to deal with any restrictions at all, you can have your vehicle technically inspected for everyday use, but you’ll need to do this every year.
Prepare for your purchase
Got your eye on a classic car? Even if you can't wait to get behind the wheel, you shouldn’t (only) trust your gut when it’s time to buy. Answer these questions to make sure you’ve covered your bases.
What is your budget? The asking price for a classic car largely depends on the condition it’s in. A ‘cheap’ car may need an expensive restoration and could cost you more money than one in mint condition.
What costs should you take into account? Although the road tax, vehicle registration tax and car insurance for a classic car may be a lot cheaper than for a modern car, your classic car may consume more fuel and require more intensive maintenance.
Savings or a loan? When it’s time to buy your classic car, you can crack open your piggy bank or you can spread the cost over time with a personal loan. Remember, borrowing money also costs money.
What do you know about your favourite classic car? Do your research and make sure you’re thoroughly informed before making a purchase to avoid any regrets afterwards. You can find a treasure trove of information about your favourite make and model of vehicle on websites, discussion forums and Facebook groups.
Why not join a classic car club? There will probably be a club for your favourite make. These clubs can offer tips about your car, let you know the best places to buy one, and even have information on which garages and individuals can service it. You can usually find spare parts more quickly and cheaply through a club too.
A few tips on how to assess a classic car
It’s always a good idea to inspect a classic car thoroughly to avoid any nasty surprises later on. If you’re not much of an expert yourself, bring someone along who knows a bit about old cars and the problems to look out for.
- Are there any signs of (severe) rusting? This can be found in areas such as under the wheel arches, the bottom of the doors and on the underbody. Run a magnet along the bodywork and if there are spots where it isn’t attracted to the metal, it could be a sign of improper repair in the past.
- Do all of the engine parts work properly?
- Is the interior still in good condition?
- Are there any oil leaks?
- 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 certificate of conformity (for cars built in 1966 or later).
- Are the invoices for maintenance and parts in order?
- How does the car drive? Make sure to take it for a test drive and ask if you can take the car to an inspection pit somewhere to inspect the underside.
- Do you have a covered parking space? Rain and wind can be unkind to classic cars.
If you’ve checked and are completely sure about everything,
You’ve found your classic car. Happy driving!
Things you should know about KBC Brussels Car Insurance
KBC Car Insurance for passenger cars is a third-party liability insurance policy required by law. More information on this product can be found in the insurance information document, which we recommend you read carefully before taking out the product.
KBC Car Insurance may include one or more of the following types of insurance cover: Compulsory Third-Party Liability Insurance, Legal Assistance Insurance, Comprehensive All-Risk Insurance, Semi-Comprehensive Insurance, KBC-VAB Roadside Assistance Insurance and Driver Accident Insurance.
- This product is governed by the laws of Belgium.
- Insurance cover under this policy is valid for a term of one year and tacitly renews, unless it is terminated no later than two months before the main renewal date.
- Your intermediary is the first point of contact for any complaints you may have. If no agreement can be reached, you can contact KBC Complaints Management by post at Brusselsesteenweg 100, 3000 Leuven, by e-mail at complaints@kbc.be, by telephone on + 32 16 43 25 94 or + 32 78 15 20 45 (paid number), or by fax on + 32 16 86 30 38. If you cannot find a suitable solution, you can contact the Belgian insurance industry’s ombudsman service: Ombudsman van de Verzekeringen, de Meeûssquare 35, 1000 Brussels, info@ombudsman-insurance.be. This does not affect your legal rights.
Contact your Insurance Expert or visit our website to request a quote for KBC Car Insurance for passenger cars.
KBC Car Insurance is a product of KBC Insurance NV – Professor Roger Van Overstraetenplein 2 – 3000 Leuven – Belgium VAT BE 0403.552.563 – RLP Leuven – IBAN BE43 7300 0420 0601 – BIC KREDBEBB Company licensed by the National Bank of Belgium, de Berlaimontlaan 14, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, for all classes of insurance under code 0014 (Royal Decree of 4 July 1979; Belgian Official Gazette, 14 July 1979). Member of the KBC group.
* What is and isn’t covered under third-party liability insurance
Covered
Loss, damage or injury you cause with your vehicle to third parties, both material (e.g., exterior damage, damage to buildings, etc.) and physical (i.e. death or injuries). Injuries sustained by pedestrians, cyclists or passengers in traffic accidents in which your car is involved. Even if you are not liable, you can claim on this insurance.
Not covered
Some key exclusions are:
- damage to your own vehicle
- bodily injuries sustained by the driver in a traffic accident
- damage caused during participation in competitions
- damage you cause intentionally
The complete list of exclusions can be found in the general conditions.
* What is and isn’t covered under semi-comprehensive insurance
Covered
- Damage caused by martens gnawing on your car’s cables and conduits
- Breakage of car window glass or sunroof glassBreak-ins, theft and vandalism during theft
- Hail damage or damage caused by another force of nature (storm, lightning, flood, etc.)
- Damage caused by fire, explosion or fire-extinguishing activities (including damage caused by melting due to a short circuit)
- Damage caused by collisions with wild or stray animals
- Crashing aircraft or falling aircraft parts
- Any additional vehicle features which you can no longer use after your car has been declared a total loss (e.g., a set of winter tyres or a roof box)
Not covered
- Damage to your own car following an accident (for which you can take out our Fully Comprehensive Insurance)
- Your physical injuries as the driver, which you sustained in an accident (for which you can take out our Driver Accident Insurance)
- Theft you have facilitated by leaving your car unattended and unlocked on a public road
- Damage to parts caused as a result of wear and tear or by a lack of maintenance
- Damage you cause intentionally
The complete list of exclusions can be found in the general conditions.
* What is and isn’t covered under fully comprehensive insurance
What’s covered?
- Harm caused by a collision, fire, glass breakage, theft, vandalism, forces of nature, filling up with the wrong type of fuel, collisions with stray animals or birds, and gnawing martens
- The cost of replacing locks or reprogramming the locking system if your car keys are stolen
- Medical expenses if you’re injured during a car-jacking or home invasion
- Vehicle registration tax is covered free of charge if your vehicle is declared a total loss
- Damage to transported items
- We provide compensation of up to 1 500 euros for items you transport in your car which are intended for personal use if your car is also damaged, including bicycles on your bicycle rack or luggage in your roof box
- We also cover any additional vehicle features which you can no longer use after your car has been declared a total loss, such as your winter tyres or roof box
What’s not covered?
- Damage you caused under the influence of alcohol (more than 0.15%) or in a similar condition due to the use of substances other than alcohol
- Damage you caused while driving your car in violation of the conditions laid down in Belgian laws and regulations
- Damage you cause intentionally
- Theft you facilitated by leaving your vehicle unattended on a public road or unlocked in another location accessible to the public
- Your physical injuries as the driver of your vehicle (for which you can take out our Driver Accident Insurance)
The complete list of exclusions can be found in the general conditions. Read the product information in full before taking out insurance.
Read this information carefully before taking out this insurance
Loan type: instalment loan. Subject to your loan application being approved by KBC Bank NV. Lender: KBC Bank NV, with registered office at Havenlaan 2, 1080 Brussels, Belgium. VAT BE 0462.920.226, RLP Brussels.