Six month MOT exemption will cause a spike in dangerous cars on the road

Motorists have been granted a six-month exemption from MOT testing from today under new measures announced last week by the Department for Transport to help stem the impact of the coronavirus. 

It says this will enable drivers and riders to to continue to travel to work where this absolutely cannot be done from home, or shop for necessities during the pandemic.

However, the industry body representing independent motor garages in the UK has criticised the decision and warned it will cause an increase in the number of unroadworthy vehicles being used on the road.

The Independent Garage Association said it supports the Government’s measures announced in recent week to control the spread of the coronavirus, but does not agree with the six month MOT extension period.

It said the decision would have a ‘detrimental impact’ on the sector and also result in more cars falling into a dangerous condition while still being used by owners regularly.

All cars, vans and motorcycles which usually would require an MOT test will be exempted from needing a test for six months, a release from the DfT confirmed on Wednesday.

That means that if you have an MOT due from today, the next test date will be extended automatically by six months and your existing certificate valid over that period.

This measure will be in place for the next 12 months, the DfT confirmed. 

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: ‘Allowing this temporary exemption from vehicle testing will enable vital services such as deliveries to continue, frontline workers to get to work, and people get essential food and medicine.

‘Safety is key, which is why garages will remain open for essential repair work.’

The IGA has written to the Government to recommend these measures are adjusted.

It has proposed an initial six week MOT extension period, which could then be reviewed on a weekly basis.

‘There are a number of reasons why deferring MOTs by six months will have a huge detrimental impact on the independent sector, which carries out over 80 per cent of the UK’s 30million yearly MOT tests,’ a statement from the IGA said,

‘The Government needs to consider that many MOT operations, being small businesses, will have their cashflow seriously impacted once this situation is over. 

‘Next year will bring about a significant reduction of tests in March/April/May and with some businesses in this sector only conducting MOT tests, in these instances, the crisis will extend for many years ahead.’

The IGA also warns that the extension will likely see a huge number of cars fall into a condition deemed unroadworthy and therefore dangerous for all road users.

It says the current MOT failure rate is almost a third (31 per cent), which means that nearly 10million vehicles do not meet even the basic roadworthiness level of compliance. 

Any length of MOT extension will consequently increase this number of dangerous vehicles, even given reduced usage.

Not only will this see a rising number of motorists at the controls of unsafe vehicles, it could also land them in hot water with the authorities

While motorists won’t need to have their vehicle assessed during the DfT’s MOT testing exemption period, they will be held responsible for the condition of their vehicles.

‘Vehicles must be kept in a roadworthy condition, and garages will remain open for essential repair work,’ the statement says.

‘Drivers can be prosecuted if driving unsafe vehicles,’ it adds.

You can find out which 20 new cars are most likely to fail their first MOT in our report from earlier this year. 

The DfT has outlined what checks motorists will need to do to their own vehicles during the MOT testing exemption period (see fact box).

If motorists are stopped by police and their vehicle is deemed unroadworthy, they can be severely punished.

This includes fines of up to £2,500, three penalty points for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition and even a driving ban.

Stuart James, IGA chief executive, said the sector ‘really needs’ the government to take this on board. 

‘We understand that measures need to be put in place to fight the virus, and support these measures, however we do not agree with the six month extension of MOTs,’ he explained.

‘We urge the government to show a degree of flexibility, as the repercussions for the independent sector will be severe.’

‘Better guidance also needs to be given to the public regarding the extension to ensure that vehicles remain roadworthy.’ 

The AA has provided additional information about general car maintenance to ensure motors are safe to use during the coronavirus pandemic: