Peugeot’s ‘game-changing’ model once among Europe’s most popular small cars is to become road tax free in weeks

A “GAME-changing” Peugeot model that was once among Europe’s most popular small cars is set to become road tax exempt within weeks.

The beloved classic will soon be able to take advantage of the tax loophole for “historic” vehicles.

This rule sees any motors that are more than 40 years old on a rolling basis completely removed from tax liability.

Accordingly, cars from 1983 will be slipping off HMRC’s radar this year.

One such model is the Peugeot 205, first launched in the UK in September of that year.

It was described by Car Magazine as an “icon” and “game changer” in a review last year to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

Based on a stretched 104 model, it found a niche in the market as an economical but larger alternative to the traditional European supermini.

Customers could opt for hatchback or convertible specs and choose from a range of engines between 1.0 and 1.9 litres, depending on how frugal they were and how much power they needed.

As many as 400,000 were sold in the UK in a production run lasting up until 1999, it was Peugeot’s best-selling UK car ever – though that changed with the release of the 305 and 206 years later.

The tax status change will take place in just weeks, on April 1.

It will also see it become exempt from MOT requirements and ULEZ or CAZ charges.

Sadly, though, the most revered variant, the 205 GTI, will not yet qualify for the exemption, as that didn’t enter production until 1984.

That means enthusiasts will have to wait until at least April next year to make savings.

And it can’t come fast enough for owners, especially since tax rates are going up this year in a huge blow to motorists.