MOT exemption
 

Now the rules changed too vehicals 40 years old, I have an RD350Lc.
On my registration Doc in special notes it states.1.was first registered and/or used. Declared manufactured 1980.
However inside it shows first date of registration 1997 and registered in uk 1997 so was obviously an import.

Carnt seem to find if next year I am Mot exempt or not untill 40year from 1997.
anyone know please

Its normally from Date of Manufacture - you may have to try & get Proof of Manufacture if they start playing silly buggers - but as it says Declared Manufactured 1980 I would have thought it would go from that.
They only made them between 1980 and 1983 according to Wikipedia, so a 1997 build date is a bit of a stretch, even for the DVLA - hahahaha

Not having an MOT for older vehicle, irrespective of the rules, is utter madness.

100%
A mate is a mechanic, and some of the stuff he sees is shocking.
Only yesterday he showed me a picture of the front brakes on a car, the only thing left of the pads was the backing plate, and even then, just about.