November 2017

MOT failure rates revealed NEWS Opposition to MOT 4-1-1 got back on track in mid-October as representatives from the motor sector sat down with the Department for Transport (DfT) to discuss the future of the test in the light of the responses to the consultation that ran earlier this year. Garage Equipment Association (GEA) CEO Dave Garratt was joined by GEA member Majorlift in the meeting with civil servants from the DfT. Commenting on the meeting, Dave Garratt said: “The feeling was that there were a lot of negatives coming in from the consultation about changing the test. We got the feeling that the recommendation from DfT is to not to change the MOT, but of course the final decision will be on the Minister.” The consultation suggested three options. Option one maintained the first MOT at three years. Option two extended the first MOT to four years. Option three was broadly similar to option two, but excluded vans in classes 4 and 7, and maintained the current first test at three years for those vehicles. Dave was optimistic, but remained cautious: “The trouble is it hasn't been confirmed yet. As I said, the feeling is it probably won't go ahead but we don't know. It's too early to say 'it's all finished guys, we're ok’ because we're not, not for sure.” Dave added: “It looks promising. We're in a better position than we were originally.” h] 40 plus exemption This is not the only recent change to the MOT. From May next year, vehicles over 40 years old will no longer need to receive an MOT inspection. However, vehicles that have been substantially changed, regardless of their age, will continue to need an MOT. At present, all vehicles made before 1960 are excused from taking the annual test, representing 197,000 vehicles on the UK’s roads. They will be joined by an additional 293,000 vehicles from May 2018. The government performed a consultation on the issue. 1,130 of those who responded were opposed to the plan while 889 supported the change. Despite the weight of opinion being on the side of keeping the MOT for the vehicles in question, the government pressed ahead with the change. Vehicles of this age are “usually maintained in good condition and used on few occasions” according to the DfT. Dave Garratt observed: “It means anything over 40 years old won’t be tested – so who are we relying on to check those vehicles? The answer is people who are at best DIY enthusiasts. The owner is not necessarily an expert. “The idea is that if you love the car that much you will do it right but I am not 100% sure that’s going to happen.” Asked if he thought the government didn’t understand the MOT, Dave observed: “I don’t think they don’t understand the MOT – but I don’t think they understand the risk of not having the vehicle tested. It’s not in our culture to maintain the vehicle yourself. They don’t understand the importance of the check.” Motorists in the South-East of England have the lowest MOT failure rates, according to MOT records from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), recently published by consumer motoring site HonestJohn .co.uk . Campaign against MOT 4-1-1 “promising” 4 AFTERMARKET NOVEMBER 2017 www.aftermarketonline.net Top 10 regions Romford (RM) – 72.7% pass rate Enfield (EN) – 72.3% pass rate Bromley (BR) – 71.5% pass rate Croydon (CR) – 71.2% pass rate Ilford (IG) – 70.6% pass rate Chelmsford (CM) – 70.3% pass rate Dartford (DA) – 70.1% pass rate Southend-on-Sea (SS) – 70.1% pass rate Slough (SL) – 69.9% pass rate Kingston-upon-Thames (KT) – 69.8% pass rate Bottom 10 regions Kirkcaldy (KY) – 53.4% pass rate Dundee (DD) – 53.4% pass rate Plymouth (PL) – 54.2% pass rate Truro (TR) – 55.1% pass rate Exeter (EX) – 56.0% pass rate Torquay (TQ) – 56.1% pass rate Hull (HU) – 58.0% pass rate Aberdeen (AB) – 58.0% pass rate Bristol (BS) – 58.2% pass rate Taunton (TA) – 58.4% pass rate