The Unbiased Storage Affiliation (IGA) has known as for the Division for Transport (DfT) to double the size of its consultation into the future of MOT testing.
In a letter to the DfT IGA chief govt Stuart James identified that earlier consultations reviewing modifications to the frequency of the MOT check had a session interval of roughly 12 weeks, whereas the most recent is scheduled to run for simply six weeks.
“The content material of this session incorporates extremely advanced and essential topics, relating not simply to the frequency of the MOT however updates to a number of areas of the MOT system, which may have far reaching penalties for shoppers and the automotive sector alike”, he stated.
“With 69 questions to reply to, this time interval is inadequate to know, talk about, collate views, get hold of proof and draft a completely detailed, correct and regarded response which ensures that the correct choices are made.
“Particularly, a six-week timeframe will not be lengthy sufficient to offer the DfT with complete proof regarding highway security.”
James added: “Given the potential security impacts of the proposed modifications, the response interval must be prolonged to a minimum of 12 weeks from the launch date of the session, to allow all stakeholders to assessment the proposals and reply appropriately to the questions requested.”
Launched final week, the DfT’s public session to reform the MOT check features a proposal to increase the date of the primary MOT check for brand new automobiles to the fourth 12 months.
Doable modifications to the MOT check may additionally embody boosting the monitoring of emissions to sort out air pollution and measures to make sure the protection of batteries fitted to electrical and hybrid automobiles.
Security issues are already being raised in regards to the proposed change.
DVSA knowledge reveals round one-in-eight (13.1%) three-year-old automobiles fail their first legally required MOT check with a significant or harmful defect, with this determine rising to fifteen.4% for four-year-old automobiles, based on BookMyGarage.com.
And co-founder Karen Rotberg described Authorities’s perceived efforts to pitch proposed modifications as a option to save motorists cash is “farcical”.
She stated: “On common, drivers pay £35.52 for an MOT check booked by our web site – that’s lower than the price of half a tank of petrol in a typical household automobile.
“The truth is that the majority motorists prioritise security over prices and the worth of an MOT is barely a tiny a part of the general invoice that drivers face.”
Rotberg added: “We do after all welcome any measures that may assist motorists to economize – particularly throughout a cost-of-living disaster – however any proposal which dangers compromising on car security will not be an answer.
“Rising the interval between MOT assessments places better onus on the driving force to make sure their car is in secure and roadworthy situation always, and we all know from our analysis that not all motorists really feel assured finishing up checks themselves.”
