‘Madcap’ MoT changes abandoned by Government

The first MoT test will remain three years after buying a new car, rather than be extended to four, the Government has confirmed.

A further 'madcap' idea to extend the annual MoT test to every two years has also been abandoned following consultation by the Department for Transport (DfT).

The Government says the confirmation is proof it “listens to drivers” and will now begin work on a new programme of longer-term reforms for MoTs.

Road safety groups have welcomed the news, with the RAC’s Simon Williams saying any changes would have "seriously compromised road safety and ended up costing drivers more money rather than less as it was supposed to do, due to dangerous issues going undetected and getting progressively worse."

"This is why the idea was so widely unpopular with the motoring public in our research. It’s great news the madcap idea of changing the MoT has finally been consigned to the bin."

AA CEO Jakob Pfaudler said its polling showed drivers overwhelmingly supported the annual MOT for keeping their cars and other safe.

"With 1 in 10 cars failing their first MoT, we fully support the government’s pragmatic decision to maintain the first MoT at three years."

Roads minister Guy Opperman said the Government will work closely with industry stakeholders and drivers to establish a programme of longer-term reforms for MoTs.

"To ensure they remain fit for the future, the Government is exploring a more effective test for diesel particulate emissions, whether further improvements could be made to the MoT for electric vehicles and the further transfer of some larger zero-emissions vans to more standard, car-style MoT testing."

The DfT will also look at the ever-developing modern technology on cars that could require an altered MoT, such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

"We look forward to hearing more from the Government on how the MoT will evolve in the future," says the RAC's Simon Williams, "both to accommodate the rising number of electric cars on our roads and improve the monitoring of dangerous emissions from combustion engines."

Williams says the RAC would also like to see the test change to help reduce the prospect of glare from headlights, something the DVSA has previously said garages can find difficult to assess.

HonestJohn.co.ukl has previously reported how challenging many motorists are finding today’s dazzling ultra-bright LED headlights.