What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals that can be separated into fibres that are strong, durable and flexible. It is also heat and fire resistant, and these fantastic thermal insulation properties and strength meant it was heralded for many construction and industrial uses. Historically, asbestos was used in a variety of building products including residential, industrial, scientific, maritime and automotive.

EMS can help you identify and remove asbestos in classic cars as well as buildings, products and other items. Book your asbestos survey today by calling our expert team on 0800 358 1100.

When Was Asbestos Used in Cars?

Asbestos was commonly used in the motor industry in the twentieth century thanks to its durability and heat resistance.

Its use in the UK began as early as the late 1870s and continued until just before the turn of the 21^st century – nearly 130 years. The heyday of its use in vehicles, as with many other forms of asbestos, was in the ‘50s to ‘70s and began to peter out after that point.

When Was Asbestos Banned in Cars?

The use of asbestos components was prohibited in the UK in 1999, when parliament introduced a ban on all importation and manufacturing of asbestos materials under The Asbestos (Prohibitions) (Amendment) Regulations.

When Did They Stop Using Asbestos in Cars?

You might wonder why we are asking this question separately. There was an exception to the ban, in that pre-1973 vehicles could continue to be fitted with asbestos-containing brake shoes and pads until 2004, prolonging the use of asbestos in the UK for another five years after the general ban in 1999.

What Precautions Should Be Taken?

Care must be taken when replacing any of these parts in an older or ‘classic’ car, and it is recommended that you presume that they may be asbestos. These parts must only be replaced with non-asbestos containing parts. Caution must be exercised when purchasing or selling second hand car parts via the internet or other methods. Fitting of asbestos parts is illegal and selling asbestos containing parts is also illegal. The HSE states that ‘The supply, possession for supply and fitting of asbestos products to motor vehicles and trailers is now banned.’ You should ensure that you have parts tested for asbestos if you are in any doubt about them. You will then be issued with a certificate for the product which will illustrate whether the component is asbestos-containing or not.

The HSE also recommends that all brake and clutch dust is potentially harmful, so it is important in all cases to never blow dust out of brake drums or clutch or clutch hosing with an airline, always use properly designed drum cleaning equipment to prevent dust escaping, or use clean wet rags to clean drums or housings. Likewise, the HSE also recommends that any component which is suspected to contain asbestos including the rags used to clean the drums or housing should be disposed of as ‘asbestos waste’. For further information on how to dispose of asbestos waste see the HSE’s guidance sheet for Disposing of Asbestos.

Where is Asbestos Found in Cars?

The automotive industry used asbestos heavily. This was largely because asbestos possesses the unique ability to prevent heat transfer due to its fantastic thermal properties. This makes it ideal for use in a wide variety of automotive applications.

It is common to find asbestos in brake pads and shoes, gaskets, internal combustion components, clutches, heat seals and insulation. It is possible that older and classic cars could still feature asbestos-containing parts.

Listed below are some of the most common places to find asbestos in classic cars:

Brakes – Brakes are the most common place to find asbestos in vehicles. Asbestos was used in brake shoes, pads and rotors, and are still used in some countries such as the US. Brakes rely on friction which releases heat - the asbestos promotes better heat resistance in the pads and shoes, prolonging their lifespan and mitigating brake fade.

Bonnet Liners - Asbestos was perfect for use in bonnet liners in classic cars as it protected the underside of the car’s bonnet from damage due to engine heat.

Clutches - Built to withstand a great deal of friction and grinding, asbestos was commonly used within clutch components.

Gaskets - Asbestos was used in gaskets to both increase durability and prevent heat transfer. Sheets of asbestos gasket material also allowed mechanics to cut custom gaskets.

Heat seals – These were used to protect against heat transfer among many different engine and automotive parts.

Valve Rings and Packings - Asbestos packings were used in piston rings intended to reduce wear upon the cylinder walls of engines.

Engine Components - Internal combustion engines release heat, and excessive heat can damage them. Asbestos was used throughout engine components to protect vital parts from overheating.

Body Construction - Asbestos is durable, making it attractive for inclusion in fibreglass or plastic compounds from which some car body parts were made.

Insulation – Asbestos insulation was used to keep drivers comfortable in all weathers.

Car Batteries - Asbestos was used as insulation in car batteries, both as loose fill between casing walls and in the casings themselves.

Adhesives – Adhesives often featured asbestos, which was added to improve strength.

What Precautions Should I Take with Asbestos in Classic Cars?

Replace Asbestos Components: Care must be taken when replacing any asbestos parts in an older or ‘classic’ car, and it is recommended that you presume that any parts may be asbestos. These parts must only be replaced with non-asbestos-containing parts.

Take Care Online: Caution must be exercised when purchasing or selling secondhand car parts via the Internet or other methods. The fitting or sale of asbestos parts is illegal in the UK. The HSE states that ‘The supply, possession for supply and fitting of asbestos products to motor vehicles and trailers is now banned.’

If in Doubt, Test: You should ensure that you have parts tested for asbestos if you are in any doubt about them. You will then be issued a certificate for the product which will illustrate whether the component is asbestos-containing or not.

Clean Carefully: The HSE also recommends that all brake and clutch dust is potentially harmful, so it is important in all cases to never blow dust out of brake drums or clutch or clutch housings with an airline, always use properly designed drum cleaning equipment to prevent dust escaping or use clean, wet rags to clean drums or housings.

Ensure Safe Disposal: Likewise, the HSE also recommends that any component which is suspected to contain asbestos, as well as the rags used to clean the drums or housing, should be disposed of as ‘asbestos waste’. For further information on how to dispose of asbestos waste, see the HSE’s guidance sheet on the Disposal of Asbestos Waste.

Australian Importation

In the past, EMS has worked with customers to help them transport classic vehicles into Australia, ensuring they are asbestos-free and legally compliant.

An Australia-wide ban on the manufacture and use of all forms of asbestos took effect on 31 December 2003. Border control for asbestos was enacted at the same time to prevent the unlawful importation of asbestos and goods containing it. This also applies to vehicles of all ages.

The importer of a vehicle (the ‘owner’ for the purposes of importation) must:

Know the history of that vehicle to ensure it does not contain any asbestos before it is shipped.

This applies whether the importation is for commercial or private purposes, or of a temporary or permanent nature.

Owners should be aware that many countries have tolerances in vehicle parts and components if the asbestos content is below a certain level, or present as trace amounts in raw materials used for producing those parts or components. Tolerance levels for asbestos in classic cars set by other countries will not be accepted at the Australian border.

What Do You Need To Do?

To avoid sampling and testing at the border, owners must provide sufficient assurance that their vehicle does not contain any asbestos. Unlawfully imported asbestos may result in prosecution action and fines. In order to comply with Australian Border Force (ABF) regulations, it is recommended that:

Owners obtain sufficient information and take necessary action to ensure asbestos is not present in their vehicles prior to shipment.

Claims of OEM parts containing no level of asbestos content should be supported by technical evidence sourced from the relevant manufacturer. A ‘face value’ letter from the supplier, or the supplier’s mechanic, merely stating there is no asbestos content is unlikely to provide sufficient assurance.

An asbestos survey from an accredited surveyor will not only help you find any asbestos in your vehicle but, following remedial work, can also serve as a recognised form of proof that your car is now asbestos-free. Book your survey today by calling us on 01432 263333.

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Who Does This Apply To?

The import prohibition applies to all vehicles of any type, age or value.

If the Australian Border Force (ABF) identifies an imported vehicle as at risk of containing asbestos, the owner will be required to provide sufficient assurance that the vehicle, including all parts and components, does not contain asbestos.

Owners declaring “no” to asbestos content in their vehicle, and all parts and components must only do so if they are certain that it does not contain asbestos.

This includes the presence of asbestos by design, or by the use of naturally contaminated ingredients during manufacture, whether original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or aftermarket in type.

How Do You Ensure Your Vehicle Complies?

Factors such as the make, model, country of origin and any other relevant circumstances can serve as a general indicator of the likelihood of asbestos in classic cars, which can help both you and the ABF determine the likelihood of your vehicle containing asbestos.

You can consult OEM part suppliers, maintenance providers or records of the particular vehicle where available, to identify if the vehicle’s components are likely to contain any amount of asbestos (including trace amounts).

Owners should then take action to test or remove such components before importation. This highlights the necessity for the owner to know the vehicle they are importing, to understand where asbestos is likely to be present and to be able to provide evidence of having addressed that risk.

The easiest way to ensure compliance is to arrange an asbestos survey with an accredited provider such as EMS.

What Records Should You Keep?

When at-risk parts and components containing asbestos are identified and removed before shipping, the owner should retain all work records.

The make, model and structural content of those new parts and components, which proves no asbestos content, should also be retained. These records should be available to the ABF as required.

If sampling and testing are undertaken overseas, the owner should ensure that the process is carried out to meet Australian requirements for laboratory reporting.

The owner is advised to carry out due diligence, including knowing the materials used in the manufacture and maintenance of the vehicle they are importing. If this matter is not taken seriously by the owner, and sufficient assurance is not provided, the owner will face delays and be responsible for costs incurred if the vehicle is held at the border for sampling and testing.

If this occurs, the owner will be required to engage a qualified, independent competent person to undertake identification of suspect parts and the removal of samples for testing. ABF staff are not qualified asbestos professionals and may only supervise the collection of samples while the goods are under customs control.

Re-Importing Australian-Based Vehicles

Owners intending to temporarily export a vehicle from Australia, with the intention of re-importation, such as for the purposes of participation in an overseas rally, must be aware that: The importation of that vehicle back into Australia is prohibited if it contains any level of asbestos.

The make, model and structural content of those new parts and components, which proves no asbestos content, should also be retained. These records should be available to the ABF as required.

Book Your Classic Car Asbestos Survey Today

While regulations around asbestos in classic cars are sometimes very strict, especially concerning foreign export and the health risks of possible exposure are potentially high, identifying asbestos in your vehicle is thankfully very simple.

All you need to do is contact the friendly team at EMS today and arrange a survey. Founded in 2003, we are a UKAS-accredited asbestos surveyor, offering asbestos management surveys, asbestos refurbishment surveys and asbestos demolition surveys.

To book your asbestos survey in Hereford, Worcester, London or anywhere across the UK, contact us today by calling 0800 358 1100 emailing info@emsgroupuk.com or by filling out our contact form.

Asbestos In Classic Cars

Avoid accidental asbestos exposure and navigate international vehicle transport laws with our expert surveys to detect asbestos in classic cars.