Biennual MoT tests will reduce safety and cause more deaths, said campaigners calling for the Government to ditch its proposal to halve the frequency of car testing.
At present, all vehicles over three years old must have an MoT test every year. Under the new proposals, motorists will only have to have their cars checked every other year. It would mean too that new cars wouldn't be tested until they were four rather than three years old.
What Car? editor Steve Fowler said: “The move to a two-yearly test is misleading for consumers who may think they are saving money, but MoT test prices will rise as garages close due to lack of business and competition declines.
“Although modern cars are more reliable, that shouldn’t be confused with safety. This proposal has no safety or financial benefits for any road user.”
What Car? buttressed its argument with Government statistics showing that three per cent of all fatal accidents are caused by vehicle defects. So of the 3,201 fatalities on Britain’s roads in 2005, 96 were caused by defective vehicles. Dodgy cars also caused 580 serious injuries and 4,777 slight injuries.
Currently 29 per cent of UK cars already fail the annual test, of those 14.9 per cent relate to defective lights, 11 per cent steering faults, 10 per cent brakes and eight per cent tyres. The next biggest failure rate involves emission and visibility problems.
The UK has the lowest record of deaths per 100,000, Sweden is the second lowest and Holland is third, all operating a yearly MOT inspection system. Most European countries that operate a two-year system have higher road deaths per 100,000, said What Car.
The MOT Trade Forum forecast that if the move to a two-year check is adopted and delayed by an additional year we will see up to 150 more road deaths per year and many more major and minor associated injuries. It has even set up a petition on the 10 Downing Street site against the idea (see link below).
"We cannot allow our roads to become any more dangerous. Well maintained, safe cars are an absolute priority for all road users and pedestrians alike," said Fowler.