The move comes after a Department for
Transport consultation
last year to consider changing the wait before the
first test to 4 years.
Most of those responding to the consultation were
against the proposals on safety grounds, arguing that
the savings to motorists were outweighed by the risk to
road users and the test often highlights upcoming
issues affecting the vehicle. A public survey
for DfT by Populus
also showed fewer than half of people were in favour of
the change.
Roads Minister said:
We have some of the safest roads in the world, and
are always looking at ways of making them safer.
Although modern cars are better built and safer than
when the MoT test was last
changed 50 years ago, there has been a clear public
concern that any further changes don’t put people’s
lives at risk.
We are looking at further research to ensure
the MoT test evolves
with the demands of modern motoring.
By law, all vehicles must be roadworthy, regardless of
whether they have passed an MoT, and the content of
the tests will not be changed.
The test was introduced in 1960, requiring vehicles to
undergo a first check after 10 years. It was changed in
1967 to 3 years.
In 2016 (the most recent figures available), more than
2.4 million cars had their first MoT test, which
costs owners a maximum of £54.85. The pass rate was
about 85% and the most common reasons for failure
include lighting, tyres and braking faults.
Changing the time period until the first test would
have saved motorists more than £100 million a year.
