Government keeps annual MOT, considering more diesel emissions checks

Motorists will still take the first MOT test three years after buying a new car. Following the conclusion of its latest consultation on MOT frequency, the government says it is updating MOTs but the first MOT will remain at three years from registration and every subsequent MOT will also continue to be taken once every year.

However, the government will now “further investigate how to better monitor diesel vehicle emissions through the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)”. This will include whether testing should do more to ensure that diesel vehicles comply with emissions regulations.

In addition, the Department for Transport (DfT) will “continue to work closely with industry stakeholders and drivers to establish a programme of longer term, reform for MOTs” as electric vehicle technology develops. ADAS provides one specific example, with DfT saying it will also monitor technological developments that could require an altered MOT, “such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems”.

Neil Barlow, Head of Vehicle Policy at DVSA, commented: “Ensuring the MOT remains fit for the future is a key part of DVSA’s work, and getting ready for new technology will help keep Britain’s roads safe. We hope this positive news will provide some certainty for garages to enable the investment in new technologies that could be needed to keep the MOT at the forefront of road safety and the environment.”

Jakob Pfaudler, AA CEO, said: “AA polling showed drivers overwhelmingly (83%) supported the annual MOT for keeping their cars and other cars safe. With one in 10 cars failing their first MOT, we fully support the Government’s pragmatic decision to maintain the first MOT at three years and annually thereafter.”

Halfords CEO, Graham Stapleton hailed the news as a victory for road safety: “The decision announced today to not make changes to the frequency of MOTs is a victory for road safety. The proposed changes would have cost lives. As it is, we are seeing more and more vehicles come into our garages at MOT with tyres that are below the legal minimum tread. Far from rowing back on road safety we should be doing all we can to encourage and enable motorists to keep their vehicles in a roadworthy condition. I look forward to engaging with the Government on the next stage of this process, which is to reform the MOT test so that it better reflects advances in automotive technology.”