Ulster Unionist Party infrastructure spokesperson has claimed the current
MOT system in Northern Ireland is no longer fit for purpose and
has called on the Infrastructure Minster to carry out an
urgent review.
Speaking following this week’s infrastructure committee meeting
Mr Stewart commented;
“Everywhere else in the United Kingdom, MOT waiting times are
measured in hours, in Northern Ireland they are measured in
months. This week we heard from departmental officials that
the waiting time was, on average, 72 days for motorists.
This is simply unacceptable and rather than reducing since the
end of the COVID pandemic, the problem is actually getting worse.
“I think the time has come for the Minister to urgently review
the current process and at least consider or commission a short,
sharp feasibility study into a new hybrid model that will allow
car dealerships, for example, to carry out MOT’s on their cars
planned for re-sale. This would take thousands of cars out
of the system immediately reducing the backlog and ensuring our
MOT centres were no longer running to stand still.
“Every single day, I am contacted by constituents who simply
cannot get a MOT appointment before their expiration date. They
are often not in a position to monitor the booking website all
day for a short notice appointment. This often goes hand in
hand with their vehicle tax lapsing forcing them to decide
whether to drive without tax, or SORN their vehicle. Either
option has a potential to have a massive detrimental impact on an
individuals ability to get to work or do basic day to day
tasks.
“The reality is that our motorists patience has run out.
They want a simple common sense solution that will end the
backlog once and for all and I believe the private sector is
ready and waiting to start providing the assistance needed to do
so. “
