MOT Test Changes: Safety vs. Cost-Cutting

The annual MOT test has long been a cornerstone of road safety in the United Kingdom, ensuring that vehicles meet minimum safety and environmental standards. However, recent proposals from the government to extend the interval between these crucial checks from annually to every two years have ignited a fierce debate, pitting the pressing need to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis against dire warnings from motoring organisations and road safety experts regarding potential catastrophic consequences for vehicle safety on our roads.

This contentious idea, reportedly tabled by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and discussed within Boris Johnson's Cabinet, aims to save motorists approximately £55 a year. While the financial relief might seem appealing at first glance, the automotive industry has collectively slammed the suggestion, highlighting alarming statistics that underscore the vital role of the current annual inspection. With a significant percentage of vehicles currently failing their MOT at the first attempt, the prospect of less frequent checks raises serious questions about the potential for a dramatic increase in unroadworthy cars on British thoroughfares.

The Current State of the MOT: A Vital Annual Check

Under existing regulations, every car in the UK over three years old must undergo an MOT test annually. This mandatory inspection covers a wide array of vehicle components, from lights and tyres to brakes, steering, and emissions, ensuring that the vehicle is safe to drive and environmentally sound. The maximum cost for a car MOT is capped at £54.85, a figure that many industry experts argue is a small price to pay for the peace of mind and enhanced safety it provides.

However, the true cost for many motorists often extends beyond this fee. Statistics from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) paint a stark picture: a staggering 30.3 per cent of cars and vans fail the MOT at the first attempt. This means that nearly one in three vehicles requires repairs before it can legally return to the road. Even more concerning, almost one in ten failures (8.26%) are due to 'dangerous' faults, issues so severe that the vehicle should not be driven until rectified. In the financial year 2020/21 alone, approximately 2.5 million vehicles were found to have 'dangerous' faults, underlining the critical importance of these regular safety checks.

Why Do Vehicles Fail the MOT?

Understanding the common reasons for MOT failure can help motorists better prepare their vehicles and potentially avoid costly re-tests. The DVSA's data consistently shows certain areas are more prone to defects. The top five reasons for MOT failure are:

• Lighting and signalling (18.9%): This includes issues with headlights, brake lights, indicators, and fog lights.
• Suspension (13%): Problems with shock absorbers, springs, and other suspension components can affect handling and stability.
• Brakes (10%): Worn brake pads, discs, or issues with the braking system's efficiency are common culprits.
• Tyres (7.7%): Insufficient tread depth, damage, or incorrect tyre pressure can lead to failure.
• Issues affecting the driver’s view of the road (7.2%): This often relates to windscreen damage, wipers, or mirrors.

These common failure points highlight components that degrade over time and with use, making regular inspection crucial for early detection and repair before they escalate into more serious, and often more expensive, problems.

The Controversial Proposal: Biennial MOTs

The government's suggestion to extend the MOT interval to every two years is explicitly framed as a measure to assist Britons struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. By reducing the frequency of the £55 check, the Treasury aims to put money back into household budgets. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps acknowledged that cars have become "a lot more reliable" since the MOT was first introduced, implying that less frequent checks might now be feasible without compromising safety. However, he also stressed that any changes would need to meet a "very rigorous safety standard."

Industry Backlash: A Resounding 'No' to Biennial Checks

The proposal has been met with a near-unanimous and furious rejection from across the motor industry, motoring groups, and road safety organisations. Their primary concern is simple: safety. They argue that the potential financial savings for drivers would be dwarfed by the increased risks on the road and potentially higher repair bills in the long run.

Nicholas Lyes, head of roads policy at the RAC, was unequivocal: "Shifting it from annually to every two years would see a dramatic increase in the number of unroadworthy vehicles and could make our roads far less safe." Jack Cousens of the AA echoed this sentiment, adding that such a move could also have a "huge impact on the motor repairs sector," risking jobs and increasing repair bills for drivers when faults go unnoticed for longer periods.

Stuart James, Chief Executive of the Independent Garage Association (IGA), declared the plan "dangerous, unwanted and unreasonable." He pointed out that the proposal has been scrutinised multiple times over the past 15 years and consistently deemed detrimental to road safety. He stressed that during times of economic hardship, motorists are more likely to cut back on non-mandatory servicing, making the annual MOT even more critical for identifying safety defects.

The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) also condemned the plans as "ill-thought-out and unsafe," highlighting the lack of prior consultation with the industry. Sue Robinson, NFDA chief executive, warned that the change would "significantly increase the risk of defects in vehicles and have a detrimental impact on road safety as well as on motorists' finances in the long term."

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), representing the wider industry, reinforced the message: "safety must always come first." While modern cars are more reliable, Mike Hawes, SMMT chief exec, stated that "regular MOTs ensure safety-critical components such as brakes and tyres are properly maintained." He concluded that stretching MOT intervals would "undermine the safety net."

Historical Precedent and Lessons Learned

This isn't the first time the government has floated the idea of extending MOT intervals. A similar proposal was put forward in 2011 under David Cameron's leadership. However, those plans were abandoned a year later due to significant road safety concerns, following revelations that as many as 4.3 million unroadworthy cars might have been on Britain's streets due to incorrect assessments at MOT testing centres at the time. The industry argues that the core safety arguments remain unchanged.

More recently, the temporary MOT exemption introduced at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 offered a glimpse into the potential consequences of reduced testing. While intended to slow the spread of the virus, experts quickly raised concerns about a surge in unroadworthy vehicles. The exemption was ultimately ended early in July 2020 due to mounting safety worries. This real-world experiment reinforced the industry's belief that delaying inspections inevitably leads to more dangerous vehicles on the road and potentially higher repair costs for neglected faults.

Evolution of the MOT Test: Stricter Standards

It's important to note that the MOT test itself has become significantly stricter over the years, particularly with the introduction of new rules in May 2018. These changes aimed to bring the test up to date with modern vehicle technology and environmental standards. Key updates included:

• New Defect Categories: Defects are now categorised as 'minor', 'major', or 'dangerous'. While minor defects are advisories, 'major' and 'dangerous' faults result in an automatic test failure. Crucially, a vehicle with a 'dangerous' fault should not be driven until repaired.
• Stricter Diesel Emissions Tests: Any visible smoke of any colour from the exhaust of a diesel car now results in an automatic MOT failure.
• New Items Tested: The test expanded to include checks on items like fluid leaks, brake fluid contamination, reversing lights (on vehicles first used from September 2009), daytime running lights (on vehicles first used from March 2018), and steering system components.

These stricter standards mean that the current MOT is a more comprehensive safety check than ever before. Weakening its frequency, critics argue, would negate the benefits of these improvements.

Which Cars Pass and Fail the MOT?

While the overall failure rate is significant, some models and brands consistently perform better than others in the MOT test. A study by What Car? analysing over 745,000 anonymised MOT records provides fascinating insights into vehicle reliability and maintenance. The study focused on models aged between three and eight years old to ensure relevant data.

Top Performing Models in the MOT

The study revealed that certain models have an exceptional first-time pass rate, indicating their inherent reliability or perhaps that their owners are more diligent with maintenance. The Hyundai Ioniq, available in conventional hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and pure electric variants, topped the charts with an impressive 96.18% first-time pass rate. Other strong performers include premium and sports cars, suggesting that newer technology or higher build quality can contribute to fewer faults over time.

Best and Worst Performing Brands

Beyond individual models, the What Car? study also ranked brands based on their overall MOT pass rates. Porsche stood out as the only brand to achieve an average pass rate of over 90%, demonstrating exceptional reliability across its range. Tesla and Lexus also performed very well, reinforcing their reputation for quality.

At the other end of the spectrum, some brands struggled more, indicating a higher likelihood of their vehicles failing the MOT at the first attempt. South Korean brand Ssangyong had the lowest pass rate, followed by several French manufacturers.

*Specific percentages for Dacia, Citroen, Renault, and Alfa Romeo were not provided in the source text, only their relative ranking as having lower pass rates than Ssangyong.

The Broader Impact: More Than Just the MOT Fee

Beyond the immediate £55 saving, industry experts warn that extending MOTs could have several negative ripple effects. For instance, the Motor Ombudsman has already raised concerns that the cost-of-living crisis is leading many drivers to skip non-mandatory car servicing. This, combined with less frequent MOTs, could mean that minor issues go undetected for longer, potentially developing into major, more expensive faults or even dangerous breakdowns. Delaying or cancelling a service could also devalue vehicles.

Furthermore, the impact on the garage industry could be significant. A reduction in annual MOTs would mean less work for testing centres and repair shops, potentially leading to job losses and reduced capacity within the sector. This, in turn, could make it harder for motorists to get essential repairs done quickly and affordably when they eventually do become necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions about the MOT

What is the MOT test for?

The MOT (Ministry of Transport) test is an annual inspection of vehicles over three years old in the UK. Its purpose is to ensure that a vehicle meets minimum road safety and environmental standards, making it safe to drive and roadworthy.

How often do I need an MOT?

Currently, under UK law, vehicles over three years old must have an MOT test annually. There have been proposals to extend this to every two years, but these are highly controversial and have not been implemented.

What happens if my car fails its MOT?

If your car fails its MOT, you will receive a 'refusal of MOT test certificate'. Depending on the type of fault (minor, major, or dangerous), you may not be able to drive your car until the issues are repaired. 'Dangerous' faults mean you cannot drive the vehicle until it's fixed. You will then need to have the car retested once repairs are completed.

Can I drive my car with a failed MOT?

It depends on the faults. If your car has a 'dangerous' fault, you cannot drive it until it's repaired. If it has 'major' faults, you also cannot drive it legally until it passes. You can only drive a car with a failed MOT if it passed its previous MOT and the new failure only has 'minor' or 'advisory' defects, and it is on the way to be repaired, or to a pre-booked MOT retest.

How much does an MOT cost?

The maximum fee for a car MOT is £54.85. However, this cost does not include any repairs that might be needed if your vehicle fails the test.

What are the most common reasons for MOT failure?

The most common reasons for MOT failure include issues with lighting and signalling, suspension, brakes, tyres, and the driver's view of the road (e.g., windscreen damage or faulty wipers).

Are electric cars exempt from MOTs?

No, electric cars are not exempt from MOTs. Like petrol or diesel cars, they require an MOT once they are three years old. While they don't have exhaust emissions to test, other crucial safety components like brakes, tyres, steering, and suspension still need to be checked.

Conclusion: Safety Remains Paramount

The debate surrounding the frequency of the MOT test is a complex one, balancing the immediate financial pressures on households against the overarching imperative of road safety. While the government's intention to ease the cost-of-living crisis is understandable, the overwhelming consensus from the motor industry, motoring groups, and safety organisations is that extending the MOT interval to two years would be a grave mistake. The evidence from current failure rates, historical precedents, and the temporary COVID-19 exemption strongly suggests that less frequent checks would inevitably lead to more unroadworthy vehicles on British roads, increasing the risk of accidents and potentially costing motorists more in the long run through neglected, escalating repairs.

For now, the annual MOT remains a critical safeguard for road users. Its continued importance is underlined by the sheer number of vehicles that fail each year, highlighting latent defects that, if left unchecked, could pose a serious danger. As the discussion continues, it is clear that any decision on the future of the MOT test must prioritise the safety of all road users above all else.

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