Ed Sheeran at the European Premiere of F1 The Movie in 2025 - Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Warner Bros. PicturesDear Alex,I see that Ed Sheeran has been fined for not insuring his classic Aston Martin, which has been off-road for six years awaiting restoration. I thought that cars kept off the road didn't have to be insured provided they are not driven on the public highway, unless being taken to a pre-booked MOT test. Can you clarify the regulations?– JJDear JJ,If you're not familiar with this story, singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran sent his classic Aston Martin to a workshop to be restored in 2021 and it has been there ever since. He has now been fined £666 for failing to insure it during that time.AdvertisementAdvertisementYou are correct that when a car is off the road, it doesn't need to be insured. So what's going on in this case? The answer lies in a technicality and, to be fair to Sheeran, it's remarkably easy to get caught out by.It's due to the way that historic vehicles are taxed. Owners don't pay any vehicle excise duty (VED) on a car that's more than 40 years old – but that doesn't mean that they are not taxed, it's just that the tax rate is zero.That might sound academic, but there is a difference in legal terms between a car being taxed at a zero rate and one for which a Statutory Off-Road Notification (known as Sorn) has been declared. The law says that if a car is taxed it must also be insured, whereas that's not the case when a Sorn has been declared.So if you cancel your insurance while a car is off the road and allow the zero-rated VED to keep renewing (which it does automatically), you're breaking the law, even if the car never turns a wheel. I've been caught out myself in this way, although I received a polite but firm letter from the DVLA to remind me of the fact before the matter went any further.AdvertisementAdvertisementIn Sheeran's case, it took until December 2025 for the DVLA to notice. He has explained in a statement that he believed the car was covered under the restoration company's trade insurance policy.As he has since found out, that isn't the case unless it's declared on the policy specifically as a named vehicle and therefore visible on the Motor Insurance Database. That's usually something garages will only do with a car that they own, not with a customer's car.Sorn was declared on the Aston Martin in February this year and Sheeran has apologised for taking up court time, having not received the initial letter the DVLA had sent offering an out-of-court fine.If you own a historic car, don't make the same mistake; remember that if its insurance is cancelled, Sorn must also be declared – even when the VED is zero.The Skoda Superb Estate, which can fit three large dogs according to one reader - Skoda AutoDear Alex,A friend uses a 2017 Skoda Superb Estate as daily transport for up to three large dogs, including at least one wolfhound. I recently visited and tried (unsuccessfully) to get the wolfhound in the boot of my 2022 Hyundai Tucson – the roofline is simply too low! The Superb is in need of replacement and she is looking at her options, almost certainly a used example. She is concerned about the new Superb being hybrid and therefore having a shallower load area. What else could she consider?AdvertisementAdvertisement– MSDear MS,The latest Superb is offered as a hybrid, but it's also available with purely petrol or diesel engines. All have the same roof height as your friend's 2017 Superb – it's much the same car under the skin, so she'll find it drives in a very familiar manner.A recent petrol or diesel Superb would be the most obvious replacement for her older model, although she could also consider the Volkswagen Passat. The latest Passat was developed alongside the Superb and is built in the same factory, so it's much the same – but without a diesel option. If deals on the Passat are more favourable, it's a sound alternative.However, it might be worth looking at a different type of vehicle altogether. If I had three larger dogs, I'd almost certainly consider a van-based MPV – our favourite of which at the moment is the Ford Tourneo Connect.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe boot is one of the tallest around and simply vast and larger still in the extended Grand Tourneo Connect after folding the third row of seats into the floor. And while the idea of driving something van-shaped might not appeal, the Tourneo Connect is far more civilised and well-mannered than you might expect so is worth a look.If you're not keen, however, a Dacia Jogger would be a good halfway house. This small MPV, based on the Sandero, has a pair of third-row seats that can be removed entirely, leaving a huge boot with a height between those of the Superb and the Tourneo.In addition, the Jogger has just received a new hybrid engine and a facelift. Despite the slightly low-rent interior it's perfectly decent to drive. If your friend can't bear the idea of a van-based car, this might be the perfect solution.Do you have a question? Contact [email protected]AdvertisementAdvertisementTry full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.
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