Aftermarket June 2022

JUNE 2022 AFTERMARKET 11 www.aftermarketonline.net it is to keep cars in a safe condition.” Jack added: “Rather than fiddling at the edges, drivers would rather see pump price transparency to revive competition on the forecourts or expanding Park and Ride schemes so drivers can avoid higher inner-city driving costs.” The sector was also caught off-guard by the proposal, which came out of nowhere, as NFDA Chief Executive Sue Robinson noted: “The NFDA is deeply concerned that this proposal has been raised without prior consultation with the industry. Additionally, the change would affect business confidence at a time when dealers and repairers alike are already facing a number of challenges as they recover from the pandemic and adapt to meet the government’s ambitious Net-Zero targets.” There are other ways to save money for motorists, as Sue pointed out: “The proposal to reduce the frequency of MOT testing is ill-thought out and unsafe. Instead of reducing the frequency of MOT testing, we encourage the government to review current Road Tax rates. This will bring immediate benefits to millions of motorists without hindering road safety.” Not everyone has been completely against some review of the MOT though. A spokesman from LeaseCar.uk welcomed the proposals, but warned that safety should be paramount: “Motorists have been hit hard by the cost of living crisis with fuel costs and inflation on car ownership currently running very high. However, when it comes to vehicles, safety must always be the primary concern. We feel that a biennial MOT could be a good idea for cars between three and 10 years old. While reducing the burden on drivers is welcome, we would prefer a stepped approach so that older cars, perhaps those over 10 years old, still require an annual MOT." While the MOT exemption granted for six months in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 lockdowns could be seen as a precedent for the kind of move being purportedly considered by government, Philip Gomm of the RAC Foundation said that was a unique situation: "The current MOT system means that drivers of older vehicles focus on their safety at least once a year and whilst we backed the deferral of testing during the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic that was on the understanding that it would be a temporary measure. "Whilst many of the faults which cause a vehicle to fail an MOT should be obvious to a driver and should be fixed between annual appointments there will be others that will only become apparent when the vehicle is on a ramp.” He added: "Whilst extending the period between tests might save drivers a bit of money it risks coming with wider safety costs and also poses an economic threat to small garages which depend on MOT income." Apart from the impact on road safety, there would be a negative effect on the garage sector, as IAAF Chief Executive Mark Field observed: “Each time the MOT test frequency has been called into question, it has been proven beyond doubt that extending the test frequency would actually mean an increase in repair costs for drivers, insurance premiums and harmful emissions, as well as reducing road safety as there will be an increase in defective vehicles on UK roads. It would also be a significant blow to thousands of independent garages and the entire automotive supply chain, who were able to remain open throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, ensuring the safe and affordable mobility of essential workers and members of the public.” Hayley Pells, Owner of Avia Autos and IAAF Garage Section head added: "It is surprising, given the decision to end the six-month extension during the pandemic prematurely, when it was actively demonstrated how important this cost-effective check is to road safety, that this VAT-free inspection is considered as poor value for money. In order to maintain the legal obligation of the motorist for road worthiness, the only option would be a VAT-applied solution. I question if this is of better value to the motorist and have concerns regarding the safety of more vulnerable road users. Approximately one in three presentations for MOT testing in Class 4 fail, and out of those failures, around 30% fail on brakes." Widespread concern Summing up, SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes concluded: “The industry shares the widespread concern over rising prices and the squeeze on household incomes. Safety, however, must always come first and, while today’s vehicles are more reliable than ever, regular MOTs ensure safety-critical components such as brakes and tyres, which wear out as a result of normal operation, are properly inspected and maintained. Stretching MOT intervals will undermine the safety net at a time when vehicle miles driven are increasing. To ensure the safety of our roads, drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other road users, inspections and maintenance must be carried out annually following their first presentation in year three.” ssociation ent A quipm ge E a e Gar Th 5 e 194 c ds sin dar y stan dustr s of In older e Uph d ! r ation c edit cr or his ac f gin our en y Ask eer a IS Y . Y ent A For peace of mind always use a Garage Equipm ssociation member. GEA accredited engineers work to an industry code of conduct our assurance their skills and knowledge have been independently assessed. OUR EQUIPMENT ENGINEER GEA ACCREDITED? Th www.gea.co.uk xpDat GEA ACCREDITED ENGINEER Name Company Discipline E e IDNumber XX123456 XX123456 XX123456 XX123456 XX123456