Are Dangerous Defects Being Missed In MOTs?
A recent report has revealed that dangerous defects might be being missed by garages during MOTs.
The report follows the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) releasing their MOT Compliance Survey results which revealed that 10% of vehicles that passed their MOTs should have failed.
Let’s face it, there are few things more frustrating than a vehicle failing its MOT.
But the test is there for a good reason – to keep you and all road users safe.
The reality, though, is that you can look after vehicles with the utmost care and attention and things can still go wrong.
And when you’re operating a fleet, there’s quite a few vehicles to sort out when the time rolls around again.
What Happens If A Vehicle Fails An MOT?
With one in three MOTs being failed on first inspection, it’s more common than you might think.
That means that 2.4 million vehicles fail with a ‘dangerous’ defect every year, with 7.3 million vehicles failing an MOT each and every year.
And with that recent report finding that around 10% of passed MOTs had a serious defect… it’s worth ensuring you have regular services to double-check everything’s in good working order.
Brakes and tyres are the main reason for failure where the examiner has failed a vehicle for a ‘serious’ defect, and they’re the most common issues with most vehicles.
The biggest causes of MOT failures over the last decade has largely remained the same, but there has been an increase in the number of tyre failures being reported in recent years.
It should also be noted that unexpected mechanical failures are much more likely on older vehicles with brakes, gearboxes and clutches being put under more strain the longer they’re in operation.
Could MOTs Be Changing?
The government has suggested that MOTs could only be necessary once every 2 years under plans to shake up the current rules… but it’s not yet clear whether that will actually happen or not.
MOTs are legally required every 12 months for any vehicles aged 3 years and over, to ensure that they are road legal and meet the minimum safety requirements.
New vehicles are exempt for the first 3 years from the date the vehicle is registered, though regular services are advised and often required after certain mileage figures are reached.
Essential repairs, maintenance, and servicing can run up to hundreds of pounds every year, and some experts have criticised the short-sighted approach of considering pushing MOTs to a biennial requirement.
Rules differ for HGVs and other fleet vehicles, but the reality is that any consideration over a reprieve in MOT requirements would also consider the impact on commercial vehicles.
What do you think of the news that dangerous defects could be being missed in MOTs? And do you think changes to MOT rules could have a positive or negative effect on road safety? Let us know in the comments below.
