New cars may only need to have an MOT test once every two years it has been revealed, in a scheme that could save British motorists hundreds of pounds. The proposed scheme would only apply to vehicles that are under ten years old.
Despite fears that the number of accidents could rise, the new plans are set to be executed by the government. Once the car is over 10 years old the original rules governing MOT testing would apply.
The Transport Research Laboratory has established vehicle deficiencies are partly to blame for 3% of all road accidents. This means if the plans were to go ahead the figures show there could be an additional 55 deaths on British roads every year.
The new scheme may also have a direct effect on garages. There are fears that with fewer MOT’s being carried out, the loss in trade could result in a loss of business and jobs. Despite this the Department of Transport are still keen to go ahead with the plans.
The original proposal was made by Gordon Brown 3 years ago. The intentions were to relax the burden on motorists whilst the price of petrol seemed to soar.
Roughly 23 million MOT’s are carried out in the UK on annual basis, with these statistics coupled with a 35% failure rate.
A source told the Independent on Sunday newspaper:
“This is part of an ongoing reconsideration of the MOT regime. It is important to review the system after almost half a century in which vehicle technology has advanced massively. The research does not prove the case one way or the other.”