Annual MOT Could Be Scrapped

Biennial MOTs Could Become a Reality in Britain

Britain’s Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, has suggested that MOT testing could switch from an annual requirement to a biennial one in a bid to address the current cost of living crisis.

The measure, which was suggested during a recent Cabinet meeting, would mean that motorists would only be required to get their cars tested every year - not every year as is currently the case.

Unsurprisingly, the idea has received widespread criticism from experts in the motor industry on safety grounds. Although the measure would help keep costs down for motorists, many believe that our roads would be less safe as a result.

Industry opinion
Stuart James, Chief Executive of the Independent Garage Association, said in response to the news: “In our opinion this whole plan is dangerous, unwanted and unreasonable.

“This proposal has been scrutinised at least four times that I have known of in the last 15 years, and every time it has been deemed detrimental to road safety.

“It is a fact that in times of economic hardship, motorists cut back on servicing their cars and it is the annual MOT that has kept the UK’s road safety at high levels thanks to the vital safety checks it carries out.

“This proposal will also fail to save motorists any money long-term, as defects will go unnoticed for longer, which at best will cause more damage to vehicles and increase repair costs, and at worst cause unnecessary breakdowns and accidents.”

Meanwhile, an AA spokesperson said: “Though well intended, moving the yearly £55 spend on an MOT to every two years could make costs worse for drivers with higher repair bills, make our roads more dangerous and would put jobs in the garage industry at risk.

“Only recently the Government stepped away from switching the MOT to every two years on the grounds of road safety, while AA polling shows overwhelming support from drivers who like the security that an annual health check provides.

“The MOT now highlights major and dangerous defects too, showing how important it is to keep cars in a safe condition.”

Finally, RAC’s Head of Policy Nicholas Lyes said: “The purpose of an MOT is to ensure vehicles meet a basic level of safety for driving on our roads.

“Shifting it from annually to every two years would see a dramatic increase in the number of unroadworthy vehicles and could make our roads far less safe.”

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