MOT review – no decisions yet, says DfT

The MOT review has still not been formally announced and no decisions have been made, confirmed the Department for Transport (DfT) in a letter to the motor industry. In the wake of recent press coverage on the impending MOT review and the possible changes to its frequency, the DfT wanted to clarify to the industry where the review stood. In a letter addressed to the RMI, along with other key players in the trade, the DfT stated that although test frequency was under the review it was only a small part of a much broader review. Any reference in the press stating that the first MOT test will take place when a car is four years old, rather than the current three, is purely speculation on behalf of the journalist, the letter says.

John Ball, RMI MOT chairman commented “It is positive news that the DfT have still not come to any conclusions on the frequency of MOT testing.  The RMI along with other trade colleagues have been engaged with the DfT for some time on the wider issues around the current test and continue to view the review as a positive step. There are many areas of the MOT that could be improved and we have been in discussions with the Dft to air our views on what positive changes could be made.

“However this does not deflect our opposition to any change to the frequency of MOT testing. With more cars failing their MOT test than ever, and tight household incomes stopping drivers servicing their cars regularly, a change to the frequency of testing could have a catastrophic effect on road safety.

“The RMI intend to continue to work with senior officials at the DfT. The RMI has taken a leading role in the fight against the change to the testing frequency and will continue to challenge any assumptions that a change to frequency would be of benefit to the motorist. It is with the joint interest of road user’s safety and the protection of RMI members’ businesses and jobs that we do this.”

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