MARCH 2024 AFTERMARKET 11 www.aftermarketonline.net Vehicle condition and roadworthiness are paramount. Therefore, maintaining the current inspection frequency is a positive step towards supporting this.” AA CEO Jakob Pfaudler said: “AA polling showed 83% of drivers overwhelmingly supported the annual MOT for keeping their cars and other cars safe. With one in 10 cars failing their first MOT, we fully support the government’s pragmatic decision to maintain the first MOT at three years and annually thereafter.” IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Standards Nicholas Lyes added: “An MOT gives drivers confidence their vehicle is conforming to minimum roadworthiness standards and many see it as an essential technical health check. Well-maintained vehicles make our roads safer and reduce the chances of collisions caused by wornout parts and more serious defects. We welcome the Government listening to drivers and prioritising both road safety and emissions as part of this package of announcements.” Investment Despite the understandable focus on the frequency of the test, the consultation also considered the wider future of the MOT. Opinions were sought on how to move the test forward to take into account advances in vehicle technology such as ADAS, and to address vehicle emissions, with an emphasis on diesel particulate emissions testing. The consultation also considered likely areas where further change will be necessary, with EV and hybrid vehicle testing looked at, and automated vehicles discussed. GEA Chief Executive Julian Woods observed: “We are very pleased to see that the Government has listened to our industry’s feedback and comments on the MOT consultation part one and are now not looking to alter the first presented date of vehicles for MOT testing. Let’s hope that we can see a similar outcome on part two of the consultation where they were looking at the future of MOT testing and what should be included in future updates to MOT testing standards.” “As was pointed out in the original consultation documents in January 2023, many of the MOT testing rules and requirements date back to the 1960s, although many have been reviewed and updated since then. However, vehicles have changed and continue to change on our roads and the MOT test is critical to ensure continued safety for drivers and pedestrians and all other users of our road networks. The MOT test should be seen as the gold standard of testing and as such should include the latest technologies and equipment as relevant to ensuring our road safety standards. “At the GEA we fully support the introduction of PN testing for diesel cars as it has been clearly seen that the current opacity (smoke) test is not able to fully test modern engines and their control systems such as DPFs. Data from some European countries who have already mandated PN measures on diesel vehicles shows how up to 20% of modern diesel tested have faulty or tampered-with DPFs allowing high levels of pollutants into the atmosphere. Air pollution affects us all and ensuring vehicles are not polluting our environment should be a must as part of the annual testing scheme.” Then there are the newer systems: “As vehicles have evolved many systems are now mandatory in new vehicles on our roads such as automatic emergency braking, electronic parking brakes, lane departure systems and many other ADAS, so the MOT test must evolve to ensure that these items are full tested as part of the annual MOT. “As a sector, we must aim to help combat all deliberate fraud within the motor vehicle/MOT industry. This is best done in our option using modern technology to ensure the correct vehicle is tested, it is tested fully and correctly and that all results are stored as correct records of the test.” Julian added: “The MOT testing scheme does need to develop and evolve for the modern vehicle and modern workshops environment. This will mean investment by all parties. To continue to have some of the safest roads in Europe, and indeed the world, with clean air to breath, we feel this is a worthwhile cost.” Future Neil Barlow, Head of Vehicle Policy at DVSA, concluded: “Ensuring the MOT remains fit for the future is a key part of DVSA’s work and getting ready for new technology will help keep Britain’s roads safe. We hope, this positive news will provide some certainty for garages to enable the investment in new technologies that could be needed to keep the MOT at the forefront of road safety and the environment.” To view the consultation response, visit: www.gov.uk/government/consult ations/changes-to-the-date-ofthe-first-mot-test-and-research-in to-other-mot-enhancements
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