Proposed changes were criticised on safety grounds
A MOVE TO revamp the MOT test for older cars has been scrapped.
The proposals included delaying a car’s first MOT test until it reached four years old – a year later than is currently required – and mandating tests only every two years after that, rather than annually.
The decision comes a year after the Government launched a consultation to see if it would be feasible to alter the MOT test regulations to bring them more in line with those of some European countries, and to potentially save British motorists around £100 million a year in test fees and other related expenses.
The consultation received more than 4400 responses, with many in the motor industry opposed to the proposal on safety grounds. One concern is that some motorists use the annual check-up to find out if their car has any faults or worn components, and don’t check their car over between tests.
Breakdown providers the AA and RAC both welcomed the news that the plan had been dropped. The RAC’s head of policy, Simon Williams, said: “It’s great news that the madcap idea of changing the MOT test from every year to every two has been consigned to the bin. This would have seriously compromised road safety and ended up costing drivers more money rather than less, due to dangerous issues going undetected and getting progressively worse.”
Roads minister Guy Opperman said: “We have listened to drivers and the industry, and keeping MOTs in their current form shows once again that we are on the side of motorists.
“By offering clarity on MOT tests, we are helping motorists drive with peace of mind and ensuring Britain’s roads continue to be some of the safest in the world.”
However, the Government has said it will continue to work with the motor industry to establish a longer-term set of reforms for the MOT test. One area it will be looking at is a more effective test for diesel particulate emissions, and making improvements to the test to ensure that it covers electric vehicle safety appropriately – especially as the technology in such cars continues to evolve.
Other changes could include the introduction of NOx particulate emission testing and the monitoring of CO2 emissions on all vehicles. The current subjective noise level examination could also be changed to a metered sound test.
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