Annual MoTs could be scrapped...........

Annual MoTs could be scrapped

The Government is considering changing MOT law, so that a car will only require the test once every two years.

Furthermore, the first MOT may not be needed until a car is four years old. Under current law, a car three years old requires its first test, then annually thereafter.

If the Government changes the rules, a ten-year-old car will have undergone only four MOT tests - half the number required by today's law.

It will, therefore, save drivers more than £200 over a decade of car ownership from new. The test costs just over £50.

It's not certain that the change will be made, and it is one of a few possibilities as ministers look to alter a law that was conceived in the Sixties.

Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond said: “Car technology has come a long way since the 1960s, that's why we think its right to look again to check whether we still have the right balance of MOT testing for modern vehicles.”

Another possibility being explored is simply staving off the first test until a car is four years old, rather than three, and then keeping it annual. Or, the first test may be moved back to four years, the second to six, then annual thereafter.

Whichever is chosen, any car ten years old or above will need an annual test.

Despite saving money for the consumer, a move to reduce the number of MOT tests will not be universally popular.

It will result in a loss of income for the 19,000 MOT test centres in the UK, and analysts have suggested any reduction could increase road deaths by 30 per year, the result of unsafe cars being on the road.

Mark Nichol

Had read a similar report - also suggested the test would be more intensive so cost more! in effect being of no financial benefit to the owner. Govt rep reckoned it would please the motorist because of the fuel cost increases - yeah/ who's benefitting/, lets face it, folk buying a new car and having the benefit of a longer interval may not be financially challenged to be to put out by the cost of fuel whereas those on older and cheaper cars could be a bit tight for cash.
Be synical but if the car has a delayed MOT, when the test comes around more faults could be detected with expensive repair costs - what will happen? poor Joe Blogs will no doubt consider having to scrap the car.
"Giveth with one hand and taketh away with the other."

I was thinking the same thing. In South Africa you only have to get a "roadworthy certificate" when you sell the car on, there are not yearly or 2 yearly tests and you cant believe the state of some of the cars on the road. So if it becomes a test every 2 years then it'll just mean bigger repair bills :shock:

I say it's a very bad idea...
It may work in countries where the average age of cars is lower, or maintenance is better, but over here?? The average motorist it seems doesn't bother checking their car for even basic stuff any more; lights, tyres, brakes, oil, water, etc... I see any amount of cars pootling along with the driver apparently having his foot on the brake despite doing 70 down the M3, or worse no brake lights at all. Or driving on tyres which are plainly underinflated or damn near bald. That's just the obvious stuff - there must be far more with brakes that have nearly had it, shock absorbers that are shot, etc.
You see cars like that and think "that'll not get fixed until MOT time" where as a car should technically be able to pass an MOT test at any point, not just a couple of weeks before the current ticket runs out.

sounds like a good idea doesn't it..?

erm, no it's not..the bi-yearly MOT will more than likely double in price, plus a bit more..as wilberforce mentions, there are already enough unsafe cars on the road as it is..failure rates will increase if the mot is done every 2 years, as it will be tougher and the compound effects of an extra year driving an already faulty car.

The Mot is a right pain in the bottom, but that said once you've got that ticket, you have a sense of security regarding your motors saftey (i know it's only actually valid for that day) imagine if our MOT was like the irish one or cost as much as the german version, then we would have something to complain about..

non-related but...can someone confirm for me...I seem to believe that in Germany and welding work or added parts have to be done by an approved technician, at a rather high cost..and your required to have certificates for said work..if that was inforced here, then most of our trucks wouldn't be one the road..

I'd prefer keeping the annual MOT rather than a 2 yearly one..£50 per year (mind my last one cost £29.50) rather than £150 every 2 years..simple no-brainer if you ask me..

I like the annual MOT.
If I get any advisories, I fix them straight away so they don't appear next time.
That helps when it comes to selling the car as it forms part of your service history in effect, and shows that repairs haven't been left until or beyone their safe limit, indicating the car has been looked after.

Personally, I think mileage should also be brought into the equation too.
We have a car at work which is a 57 plate and has done 161,000 miles :shock:

This only had it's first MOT in January, and the car has done more work than my Fronty which is 15 years old.

Its every two years over here in gib and its a joke anyway you wouldnt believe it if i told you what goes on,,,,, :shock:

Dont forget an MOT just says the car is fine on THAT day.

You still have to keep the car MOT safe ie working headlights, wipers etc at all times

I reckon the government is thinking of this to get more older motors off the roads and to try make people to buy new motors. Ive been behind many motors without brake lights and Ive nearly ran into the back of them a few times,people like that expect you to be looking for their high level brake lights but I dont. I check all my lights,oil,water and brakes everyday before setting off,as it doesnt take much time to do all that. :lol:

most people just get in, start and drive then not realising something is wrong or broken until pointed out or hit up the bum

There is a car near the bottom of our street that has had the front bumper hanging off, and the N/S headlamp missing (covered with plastic) since before christmas. Obviously they were at fault and can't be bothered paying for the repair.
A 2 year MOT would see this car, and those in a similar state, still running around like this.
I dont know how they haven't been charged yet for using it this way.
It also has a space saver wheel on the front, which is illegal, as they are only meant to get you home, or to a tyre fitters.
Especially on the front, as the 2 front wheels are of different sizes.
Mental, I tell you. Mental.

Keith,it is mental,that a car can still be used in that condition.

This so called new idea of making mot's every 2yrs,will not work in my opinion. I think what the should have is something like they have in New Zealand & Australia,a warranty of fitness and pink sticker cars that are not fit to be on the road.