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I think a bunch of commercial vehicles work on 'MOT exempt' but then can be stopped and inspected ruthlessly at any time, so should actually be kept in much better condition.
MOT in the UK annoys me, things that are trivial to safe operation of the vehicle can stop a car from being used, yet other things can be literally hanging out and pass no worries (haven't been through the new test yet so might hold my tongue on that one!). My fav is cars that are 1-3 years old, pretty much every BMW I see in that age bracket has front tyres down the wires on the front and never get stopped and sorted out because too new for folk to suspect.
Also round here DVLA have been cleaning up on 1-3 year old cars without valid VED, folk forgetting or falling fowl of the system.Edit; came over as a rant, not meant to be, what I mean to say is 'should own older more interesting vehicles, then don't have to submit to such things'
BrickMan-
I think the running costs of the R80 would rule it out for daily use. I put up with the cost per mile but it's much easier to run a scooter into the ground every few years than keep a 40 year old bike in full working order. If I didn't do the work myself it would have been sold years ago. I have 2 toolboxes of specialised tools a Hanes and workshop manual which are covered in oily fingerprints from years of fettling. It's weird to think that I've been doing it for 15 years, quite a few other bikes have come and gone in that time.
Airhead
I thought I'd mentioned it before. Mine happens around the Ulez start so perfect timing since it's Ulez free too. The no MOT part is a bit weird, it's one of those times we're benefiting from the wealthy car collecting lobby who have got tired of trailering their collectables to the grubby mot station once a year.
Of course if you get pulled for an MOT infraction there'll be a fine (only a worry for poor people who actually drive their classics).
Not to be sniffed at though, expect all pre '79 bikes to go up in value come the Ulez start. So buy one before then and don't claim no-one told you it was happening. :)