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Thanks for raising an interesting issue, as an owner of many classic cars, I have always been shocked that they are not taxed to the 'hilt'. It's worthwhile stating that I also own modern cars and that of course, I do pay tax on these vehicles. I own a bicycle, I read road signs and I use this for work, paying no tax on it.
The first thing to say of importance here is that these vehicles are a very important part of our heritage: they are not, for the most part being used to travel to work or add to the rush hour. This is a reason why they are also subject to low insurance: insurance firms recognise that they will be low risk, low mileage with very careful owners.
The classic car industry in the UK is a huge employer and one of the few remaining industries left for innovation and actual manufacture. Innovation in these areas include making new products to replace often inferior designs of the pre-1970's: the triumph stag is a good example of this, where new products are removing the poor quality timing chain issues and complete kits replacing coolant systems. To see how vast this industry is, search for David Manners online, a huge West Midlands Family Business employing directly many people and thousands in secondary manufacturing support. We are also seeing import of vehicles from the US dry states for expert restoration in the UK. The continuation of marques like Jaguar/Daimler and Triumph, Rolls Royce and Mini's also are good for brand GB: a reason why Mr Tata will keep producing Jaguar in the UK, a fact that helps these cars be such a strong export. A company close to me is importing and exporting classics, mostly back to the US; his business is employing skills that are now in many areas long lost, supporting local trades in leather resoration, acid dipping, chroming, wheel manufacture and engine kits. It is at this point that it is worth adding that he pays VAT on services and parts.
So my final point is this: I do not think I should be tax exempt on my vehicles. I do pay fuel duty like everyone else, I pay tax on parts. I also use the car for busiess and again, I pay income tax on this. One area of your argument that is flawed is that of student nurses. My full time job is as a Senior Lecturer of Adult Acute Nursing, before this, I was a Registered Nurse and I trained as a student nurse. Student nurses are often made out to be hereos, earning little and working hard. Well, this is true, they do earn little, they do work hard. But they do NOT pay course fees 8.5k). They are give a means tested bursary. At this point, many would retort the 'but they are angels, they should be given the bursary, it is right to do so'. If that is what you are thinking, then what about Dr's? Physicians Assistants? etc, et al. These professionals are important to healthcare, but they have to take out a student loan and pay it back. And they work hard too.
In this situation, it is not really constructive to use pejorative terms about classic car drivers or question their motives. I'm honest, when looking for a vehicle, the fact that it is pre 1972 is a bonus. But I don't lose sleep over being a tax dodger: I'm more interested in MP wages and expenses, why Gary Barlow and Jimmy Carr use tax avoidance schemes like K2 and why Vodaphone, Phillip Green, Google and Amazon are not paying their co-operation tax. Adding classic cars to the DVLA list of duty would cost more than the current scheme, would damage a successful industry and affect our heritage.
As for your house, well, if it was older, like our listed buildings, you would be able to register it in a Trust and gain charity status.
All the best
J
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