NTDA: MOT frequency change will lead to safety and environmental disadvantages

In mid-February the NTDA wrote an article assessing the Department for Transport (DfT) decision to open a consultation into changes in MOT frequency. Published on 18 January 2023, the text offered an extensive analysis of the proposal, beginning with the well-known position of the National Tyre Distributors Association: “As expressed on many previous occasions, it is the view of the NTDA and its members, that the date of the first MOT should remain at 3 years for motorcycles, cars and light goods vehicles.” Here Tyres & Accessories examines and summarises that in-depth response:

“Although we agree, that the MOT scheme should be continuously reviewed and enhanced to ensure it is not abused, remains valid and fit for purpose, we do not believe that changing the test frequency will deliver any tangible benefits, to the contrary, we believe it will be detrimental and undermine the validity of the MOT. Such a change is also more likely to lead to both increased safety risks and vehicle emissions, especially as a result of vehicle tampering.”

From here the association sought to highlight its members’ views on the subject: “The NTDA and its members strongly believe that the current frequency is a primary element in the success of the MOT scheme providing a high level of road safety. In addition, our member’s own research predominantly shows that their customers/motorists see it as an annual validation of their vehicle’s roadworthiness, (which should not be confused with vehicle manufacturers own views on reliability).”

The subject is also of particular relevance to the tyre business. To this end, the NTDA supported its position with data from a “major national retail member”. Their 2019 figures show that tyres accounted for almost 15 per cent of MOT failures and 56.5 per cent of advisories issued. DfT statistics for 2019 show that tyres consistently account for 60 per cent of dangerous defects of all defects and it is unsurprising, therefore, that tyres still remain a top reason for MOT failure at first test:

“Defects such as low tread depth, cuts, sidewall cracking, bulges, splitting etc., are not picked up by new technologies such as TPMS and still require MOT testers to carry out a full visual inspection of the tyre. In fact, irrespective of new technologies such as TPMS, tyre damage and wear, remain high with increased EV and Hybrid vehicle weights, progressively unpredictable and adverse weather and appalling road surface conditions across the UK being key contributory factors in tyre condition deterioration.”

The NTDA’s own data supports the same view: “…in an independent national survey conducted with motorists in 2017, the NTDA established that only 40 per cent of respondents said they regularly check their tyre tread and pressure and 60 per cent did not know the legal tread depth for tyres in the UK. One could readily argue that vehicle technology is indeed improving, but motorists’ attitudes to vehicle maintenance and safety is deteriorating. We believe that reducing the frequency of the MOT could be perceived by many motorists as being an indication that the vehicle is self-managing and always safe, resulting in them being even less inclined to carry out their own vehicle maintenance and safety checks on a regular basis. Additionally, we believe that any predicted financial benefits for vehicle owners are simply misleading as only those motorists who can afford vehicles that are less than 4 years old would actually benefit.”

Advantages of the current system

The NTDA believes that the advantages of the current MOT system are:

• Current UK road safety record (which speaks for itself);
• Low-cost annual independent validation of vehicles’ roadworthiness;
• Identification of issues beginning at year 3;
• Fewer vehicle breakdowns;
• Environmental protection.

Disadvantages of frequency change

However, a less frequent MOT is expected to lead to:

• A deterioration in the aforementioned UK road safety record;
• A low-cost annual independent validation of the vehicles’ roadworthiness being replaced by much higher repair bills;
• Identification of issues beginning at year 3 deferred to year 4 worsening the condition of the vehicle;
• More vehicle breakdowns
• Less environmental protection.

With this in mind, the NTDA text concluded by advocating for a more rigorous tyre-related MOT advisory system: “Although we do not support a change in frequency, we do believe that there need to be changes to MOT advisories, specifically in relation to tyres. Too often our member’s MOT testers are issuing advisories in relation to, for example, visible sidewall cracking and deterioration. It is our opinion that the integrity of such tyres has been compromised and the vehicle should fail the MOT.”