MOT test for unregistered 1968 car recently imported

Hope someone on here can help me as I have been told lots of different things (not on this forum) but need accurate info.

I have recently imported a 1968 Ford Mustang from USA. I have paid the  VAT and got the NOVA , and obviously need to register it at some point with the DVLA. The car is at my home.

Although it will be classed as MOT exempt I want to have an MOT done as I have no history with the car so don't know how long ago the brakes and other important bits were checked or overhauled.

I was going to register it first and then get an MOT done after that. However, I have been told that the DVLA often want to inspect imported Mustangs before granting them historic status. The car is fine, and is definitely historic, but an inspection will just hold up the registration process. The same person advised me that if you get the MOT done first and send it in with the registration forms to the DVLA, they are much less likely to want to do their own inspection.

So, I am planning to get an MOT done before the car is registered, but that raises a few questions that I need help with. Some questions are not strictly MOT questions, so please tell me if there is somewhere else I should ask them.

Here goes:

Can I actually get the car MOT'd prior to it being registered? 

Does the tester use the VIN number instead of a reg number?

Can I drive the car to an MOT centre without it being registered?  (I can insure it prior to it being registered)

Assuming the car stays there till it has passed the MOT, can I drive it home again afterwards? 

Alternatively, can someone drive the car both ways on trade plates?

If so, will I still need to insure it, or do trade plates give insurance cover as well?

I know I can have the car taken by transporter both ways, but I am just checking if there is a cheaper way of doing it.

Many thanks to anyone who can help me with all this.

Rob F