Row erupts over new MoT test plan
Biennual testing means more deaths, say campaigners
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.
I have an old track car, which to be fair, is a pain to get through the MOT every year due to emissions. Even so i'd still rather go through that once a year than be taken out by an idiot with no brakes / tyres / clue.
How can the government coninue to reduce speed limits and place speed camera's everywhere, all under the banner of safety, then come up with a proposal like this.
Even with an annual MOT test, you still see plenty of cars that don't look like they're in a fit condition for the road. Goodness knows how many accidents waiting to happen will be driving around our roads if this goes through.
But then again, with the current climate towards saftey, I'm sure ministers will be much happier with a car doing 29 mph past a school, even if the brakes don't work!
why not just say once every 2 years for simpltons like me
How many of these "Dodgy cars" would of had an MOT in the first place?.
why not just say once every 2 years for simpltons like me
I work with Americans a lot. They're always planning bi-weekly meetings. Drives me mad. They look at me like I'm an alien when I say fortnightly and don't understand why I have such an issue with bi-weekly.
1.5 million complain about road pricing & "we'll talk about it", nobody asks for less frequent MoTs & it gets into law - strange. I have no problem with annual MoT's but then my daily driven Kit Car hasn't failed one in the last 10 years (wahoo!).
T
The MOT is only a report of a vehicles roadworthiness on a given day.
I disagree. Deterioration of the most important safety features, brakes, suspension and tyres, are so gradual that it would be difficult for even the most experienced of us to detect the difference in our daily cars. Slap a new set of brakes/suspension parts on and the majority of people say, "oh, that's better to drive, I didn't realise it had got so bad!"
The fact is most people are not qualified or experienced enough to detect slowly developing faults. People rely on an annual independant inspection to determine what work needs doing to theirs cars other than servicing.
You cannot attempt to lower the standard of road transport maintenance whilst trying to maintain safety.
Gassing Station | Motoring News | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff