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The Independent Garage Association (IGA) is lobbying the government against the proposed changes to the MoT.
The trade body has written to Louise Haigh MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, asking for her support in opposing any changes to the current MOT structure.
Stuart James, Chief Executive of IGA, said the current structure is safe and does not need to be changed.
“Our current MOT testing system ensures that UK roads are among the safest in the world.
“The Department for Transport (DfT) website removes the financial burden from motorists, environmental impact and advances in vehicle technology as reasons for proposing an extension of the vehicle’s first MOT, however an extension to the MOT test schedule would be detrimental to the UK. road safety record and will cause additional costs to the vehicle owner in the long run.
“The alleged savings of £40 on average on an MOT test would be lost in additional repair bills as vehicle defects go undetected for an additional year and potentially become more problematic, dangerous and costly. Insurance premiums are also expected to rise to offset the increased risk.
“The consultation also referred to savings in greenhouse emissions by a vehicle not having to be driven an average of 4 miles each way to the nearest MOT station, assuming that if a vehicle is not being driven to and from its MOT, it is not being driven at all. The consultancy also acknowledged that more than 1 million vehicles failed their initial MOT in year 3 due to emissions in 2019, and an additional over 45,000 vehicles could pollute at higher levels until taken at their first MOT in 4 years.
“DfT’s argument that modern cars are reliable and therefore do not need to be tested frequently is misleading. Key safety essential items like tires and brakes still wear out, in some cases more frequently than older cars. The failure rate of modern cars in the first test was 14%, not surprising especially for tires, brakes, lights and suspension, and 1,759 fatalities were caused by vehicle breakdowns in 2021.
“While the Conservative Government is pivoting this consultation as a money-saving measure, they are only looking after the wealthier among us who can afford to run vehicles aged 4 years or less, which cost an average MOT of just £40. impact.”
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