Shannons advocates for fairer reform for Queensland’s classic cars

Shannons, is advocating for its Queensland customers, calling for fairer rules for classic cars.

Classic cars are cherished because they represent styles of the past and snapshots of history. Their value is in their age. So, when the Queensland Government announced it was tightening restrictions on older vehicles, making it harder for them to pass safety inspections, and therefore be driven on Queensland roads, Shannons stepped forward on behalf of its customers.

In May 2024, the Queensland Government announced it would propose more rigorous vehicle inspection processes whereby all vehicles – no matter of their age – would be scored against the same Damage Assessment Criteria after an accident. This means despite many older cars being built vastly different to modern vehicles, the damage criteria that deems a vehicle a write-off, are the same.

Shannons Executive Manager of Customer Service Stephen Nutbean said it meant many classic and historic cars would be ruled written-off and lost forever when they are, in fact, repairable.

“Many classic vehicles, due to the absence of technology and simpler build characteristics, are more easily repaired than modern vehicles,” Mr Nutbean said.

He used the example of water inundation which could cause irreparable damage to a modern car full of electronics, but likely only material damage to an older vehicle without the same technology.

The proposed changes to the Queensland’s Written-off Vehicle Scheme Reform are to increase safety and prevent poor-quality repair work and unsafe cars returning to the road, of which Mr Nutbean said he was in full support. It would, however, have adverse consequences.

The Shannons team penned a submission to the government, advocating on behalf of its 130,000 car-loving Queensland customers, calling for classic and historic cars to not be included with all vehicles in the new scheme, but be treated differently to account for their unique qualities.

“Shannons as a brand is a voice for the motor enthusiast community, and we want to protect the historical significance of these incredible vehicles to ensure they remain on our roads where safe to do so,” Mr Nutbean said.

“It is paramount that every vehicle is safe to be driven on our roads, but we need to consider differences in the various repair methods depending on vehicle type and age.

"Shannons customers love their cars, and they often carry deeply sentimental value, so we are proud to be representing the views of motoring enthusiasts in relation to this proposal."
Shannons Executive Manager of Customer Service Stephen Nutbean

Part of Shannons’ submission is to recommend the removal of the age limit for vehicles, which aims to preserve some of Queensland’s most significant motoring and cultural heritage, without compromising the objectives of the reform.

“This small change to the proposed reform will help reduce unintended consequences, while still supporting the objective of improving the safety of cars on Queensland’s roads,” Mr Nutbean said.

Shannons customer Carl Amor, owner of Gold Coast Motor Museum, has 18 years’ experience in the classic and prestige motor repair industry and was pleased to learn Shannons was representing the interests of classic car enthusiasts.

"I am proud to be a Shannons customer, knowing that the people who work there are as passionate and knowledgeable about classic cars as I am." 
Shannons customer and owner of Gold Coast Motor Museum Carl Amor

“I am pleased they liaise closely with state government and are across legislative reforms that may have a negative impact to historic car repairers and owners. They are willing to advocate for their customers’ unique needs.”

Preserving a piece of Queensland history while supporting the safety objectives of the reform

As the reform process progresses, Shannons will continue to be involved in a consultative role. Its team will be working with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, to continue to support its safety objective, while advocating for exemptions to ensure historic car customers aren’t unnecessarily affected.