In a move applauded by road safety advocates, the UK government has decided to scrap plans to extend the time between car MOTs (Ministry of Transport tests). The proposed change, which aimed to require MOTs every two years instead of the current one-year interval, along with delaying a new car’s first MOT from the third to the fourth year, has been abandoned following public consultations.
The Department for Transport (DfT), suggested that the plan could potentially save Britons £100 million annually. However, critics, including safety experts and the AA (Automobile Association), raised concerns about the safety implications and contested the financial savings claim.
Experts argued that the annual MOT played a crucial role in identifying and addressing faults early, potentially saving motorists between £200 and £400, according to the AA. The DfT’s decision to retain the current MOT frequency was announced today.
Roads minister Guy Opperman stated, “We have listened to drivers and industry, and keeping MOTs in their current form shows once again that we are on the side of motorists.” The decision aligns with the preference expressed by a majority of drivers, with 83% of AA members, as per CEO Jakob Pfaudler, overwhelmingly supporting the continuation of the annual test.
While the plan to extend MOT intervals has been discarded, the DfT continues to explore potential changes to the MOT system, ensuring ongoing scrutiny of vehicle safety and maintenance standards on UK roads.
