IGA urges against MOT discounting

Many garages have responded to the drastic decline in business under lockdown conditions by offering discounts on MOTs. However, the Independent Garage Association (IGA) argues that such a measure cannot be sustained. The associations says that it is campaigning against the practice of discounting MOTs to help garages recuperate costs from the loss of revenue throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Stuart James, IGA chief executive states: “Independent garages have faced a sudden, drastic decline in business due to the DVSA’s MOT extension and Government instructions to stay at home.

“Provision of the MOT service is critical to the safety of UK road users, but many garages feel the need to discount MOTs to remain competitive, leaving them struggling to cover their hourly business costs. The industry cannot afford to continue providing MOT tests as a loss-making service going forward.

“As we start to see the lockdown easing, the time is right for garages to stand united by charging the DVSA’s recommended price of £54.85 for an MOT test. This will help independent garages to remain open, recoup recent losses, and allow them to carry out their vital roles keeping the UK’s vehicles running safely.”

The MOT test is particularly important to tyre retail – more than a quarter of failures have historically been due to unsafe tyres. Tyre industry safety organisation, TyreSafe explained that the extension to the MOT puts a greater burden on motorists to ensure their tyres’ air pressure, condition and tread depth are fit for the road and legal – too many of Britain’s vehicle owners have until now clearly been leaving tyre checks to the MOT testers. The NTDA has also expressed concern at the long-term repercussions the government’s decision to pause MOTs could have on the UK’s tyre sector.

The IGA is supporting independent garages through the coronavirus pandemic with advice and resources, which can be found at its website: IndependentGarageAssociation.co.uk.