The Department for Transport released a consultation on proposed changes to the MOT system in Great Britain. The primary factor of this consultation considers changing the date at which the first MOT after purchasing a new car is required, proposing that the date of the first MOT is changed from 3 to 4 years.
NFDA submitted its consultation response to the Department for Transport (DfT), on Wednesday 22 March.
NFDA surveyed its franchised dealer members to better understand how they would perceive the changes would impact motorists and the safety of their vehicles. The survey results displayed a strong consensus and rebuttal from the dealers around any decision to change the existing MOT regime.
- Franchised dealer members reveal 98% are concerned motorists' safety will fall if the proposed MOT change goes ahead.
- 97% of the surveyed respondents claim a change would directly lead to an increase in vehicle defects.
- 98% do not believe the change will save motorists any extra costs, directly opposing one of Government’s key arguments for increasing the initial test from 3 to 4 years.
In addition to the Member survey, the NFDA consultation response opposes various parts of DfT’s prepositions, exploring a range of topics:
- Safety implications.
- Risking the UK’s leading safety record.
- Consideration of Light Commercial Vehicles and leased vehicles that do disproportionately high annual mileage.
- Negative impact on consumers, businesses, third party suppliers and the environment.
- Reduction in Vehicle technicians – contributing to unemployment.
- Electric vehicle transition disrupted.
