Industry welcomes government u-turn on MOT frequency

Pro-MOTe, the lobby group set up to campaign to keep annual MOTs, has welcomed news that ministers have dropped plans to reduce testing frequency to 4-2-2.

In a written ministerial statement this morning, Transport secretary Justine Greening announced: “Having listened closely to the very many views put forward and considered the available evidence, I have decided that I am not going to carry out further work in relation to relaxing the first test date or the frequency of testing.”

The campaign – supported by more than 30 organisations representing motoring organisations like the AA and RAC, road safety campaigners, cyclists, the garage trade and the insurance industry – argued that by moving to testing every other year would be dangerous, expensive and unwanted.

Commenting on the news Bill Duffy, coordinator of Pro-MOTe and CEO of Halford Autocentres said: “Reducing the frequency of MOTs would have been dangerous, expensive and unwanted, and we welcome the Government’s sensible decision today to drop the idea…We look forward to working with Government on how to make the MOT test better and to ensure consumers receive the best customer service.”

Related news:

• “Scrapping annual MOTs could cost 50,000 jobs” – Pro-MOTe

• IAAF annoyed by lack of MOT details in latest government plans

• MPs face MOT opposition