I hadn't heard of any exemption from the test on the grounds of age. The last date for SVA was 30 April 2009 and my Sierra needed an SVA test using a 1991 donor and a new shell.

I got an age-related J reg but the car shows on the log-book as first registered June 2009 - so no MOT for three years!

Have a look here:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring...le/DG_10014246