MOT deferral could save £100 million per-year
The Government has proposed postponing the age cars, vans, and motorcycles require an MOT from three to four years to save motorists £100 million per-annum. This change – that could come into force in 2018 – would bring England, Scotland and Wales in line with Northern Ireland and countries such as France and Norway.
The proposal relates to new, currently unregistered, vehicles rather than any already on the road. It also excludes those that have to be tested after one year. Taxis and ambulances which have up to eight passenger seats, for example. The Government now plans to choose how to proceed from a range of options. These are:
- maintain the status quo;
- for all vehicles that currently require an MOT from three years, postpone the requirement to four years;
- for cars and motorcycles that currently require an MOT from three years, postpone the requirement to four years – but continue to test smaller vans (not exceeding 3,000KG) and larger vans (between 3,000KG and 3,500KG) from three years.