Consultation to change MoT requirements

The Department for Transport (DfT) has launched a new consultation on possible changes to the MOT.

Central to the proposed changes is moving the first MoT for light vehicles from three years to four years from first registration.

This official proposal from the DfT insists that safety will be at the heart of the consultation. In so doing they believe this will ensure continued confidence on the country’s roads. But AA president, Edmund King is less than impressed saying “we totally oppose any change from an annual MOT”.

“With one in 10 cars failing their first MOT, we strongly discourage the Government from extending a car’s first MOT”.

Responsible approaches

With such attitudes in mind, the Government says any changes will be supported by an information campaign led. The DfT and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will inform drivers of the updates to MOTs and remind them of their responsibility to keep vehicles roadworthy.

Official data shows most new vehicles pass the first MOT test at three years, says the government. With the number of casualties in car collisions due to vehicle defects remaining low, it argues that the change should not impact road safety.

RAC head of roads policy, Nicholas Lyes, says that the organisation is “disappointed the Government is still entertaining the idea”.

They believe a change requiring high mileage vehicles to have a test sooner is needed, alongside the number of years on the road.

“Our research clearly shows drivers don’t agree with this and believe it’s dangerous. It would also likely increase the number of unroadworthy vehicles on our roads – putting lives at risk”.

Not only this, the organisation believes would “not save drivers any money as they would likely end up with bigger repair bills as a result”.

However, undertaking roadworthiness testing four years since the vehicle’s registration is already standard practice across many European countries. These include Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal.

Keeping up wit the times

Also included in the consultation are views on how to improve monitoring of emissions to tackle pollution issues. Are there ways that the environmental efficiency of vehicles cna be checked and improved?

Potential new measures include introducing testing of pollutants. These may include particulate number (PN) and NOx to ensure diesel, petrol and hybrid cars continue to meet emissions requirements throughout their lifespan.

When it comes to electric vehicles (EVs), should EV batteries be tested to improve the safety and reliability?

Other measures could attempt to tackle excessively loud engines.

Pick’n’mix

While many many people are against the central proposal of the consultation, most agree that the MoT needs to keep up with the times. Technical changes are forefront, especially the move to EVs. King says ther previous proposals “did not obtain public support – with many citing concerns over vehicle safety”.

“We do not believe this to have changed over time. Safety items like tyres and brakes can often be deficient after three years.

“However, there are aspects of this consultation which we support, such as ensuring the MOT is fit for purpose for the new technology in vehicles.

“Making sure MOT testers check and test advanced safety features and autonomous systems are important as the nation’s car parc evolves.”

Evidence based

While the consultation has been welcomed by Eric Smith, MOT scheme manager at Kwik Fit, he doesn’t “believe there is good evidence to indicate that delaying a car’s first test beyond three years is a risk worth taking.

“In fact, the Government’s own forecasts show that delaying tests could lead to an increase in road casualties as well as a risk of more cars running with illegal emission levels.

“Of the vehicle defects listed as contributory factors to accidents, the Government data show that tyres are most common, and tyre condition is unrelated to vehicle age.

“Our experience shows that the annual check remains vital in not only improving the safety of our customers but also extending the life of their vehicles and reducing drivers’ overall maintenance costs.”