The UK government has agreed to maintain the current MOT Test Frequency following a consultation that explored extending the first test from three to four years. The move had provoked widespread crtisism in the aftermarket amid potential safety fears. 

Mark Field, Chief Executive, of industry body the IAAF, said, “Plans to extend the first test from three to four years have been met with the full power of the entire automotive industry including motorists, who have been united in their view that extending the test frequency risks driver safety. Every argument put forward to change the date of the first test has been overcome. An extended test won’t save motorists money and will in fact generate higher bills from worsening, unchecked problems. While it is right to consult on modernising the test process, the debate over the test frequency, the third in over a decade, should never be on the table.”

IAAF argued, along with other motoring groups, trade bodies including UK AFCAR and aftermarket businesses that changing the test frequency risks driver and public safety and will ultimately cost motorists more money.

It also lobbied that the future vehicle parc, comprising predominantly alternative fuelled vehicles such as electric, is more likely to fail the first MOT test, underlining the importance of safeguarding the current test regime.