IAAF backs ProMOTe campaign

The IAAF, as part of its membership of the Automotive Aftermarket Liaison Group (AALG), has joined forces with the ProMOTe Campaign to fight the proposed changes to the MoT testing frequency.

The ProMOTe campaign was originally set up in 2011 in response to the Department for Transport (DfT) considering changing the MOT test from every year to every other year. The campaign was successful in opposing this change which was judged to be unsafe, expensive and unwanted.

Earlier this year however, in the Summer Budget, the chancellor announced the Government’s intention to look again at the issue of MOT testing and proposed changing the timing of the first test from three to four years.

Britain has some of the safest roads in Europe and the MOT testing regime is an important part of securing that.

In 2008, the Government rejected the idea of extending the time allowed before the first MOT in response to evidence determined by the DfT, whose own study estimated a so-called 4-1-1 system (where all new cars would require an MOT after four years) replacing the existing 3-1-1 regime would cause over 2,000 more deaths and injuries on our roads every year.  Despite this, the Government appears determined to press ahead with a review on extending the time allowed before the first MOT of a car’s life from three years to four.

ProMOTe will be a single-issue campaign that brings together a range of interests, including road safety, consumer, motoring and industry bodies to work with politicians from all parties, experts and the media to put the case against extending the time allowed before the first MOT and demonstrate the broad range of interests opposed to it.

In building this wider coalition to ensure that the voices of all stakeholders are heard effectively, the campaign will complement and build on the existing work of MOT trade bodies.