Northern Ireland consulting on two-yearly MOT tests

The Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure is consulting on whether MoT tests should be conducted every two years. The announcement follows test delays resulting from the Northern Ireland MOT lift crisis and the pandemic.

Currently, private cars and motorcycles are first MOT tested at 4 years old and light goods vehicles under 3,500kg are first tested at 3 years old. Each of those vehicle categories are tested annually thereafter.

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said as Northern Ireland moved towards “recovery” from the pandemic, “now is the right time to ask the public and those with a direct interest in MoT testing, road safety and environmental protection and others for their views”.

“I realise there will be those who favour a change in the frequency of MoT testing and others opposed to any change to the current process. Therefore, I would encourage everyone with an interest to respond to this call and clearly put forward their views with supporting evidence where possible”, she explained.

The Call for Evidence will remain open until 19 October 2021.

Responses can be made online at: https://consultations.nidirect.gov.uk/dfi-1/call-for-evidence-biennial-mot-testing