MOTs – Fleets Raise Concerns Over Potential MOT Change Plans
Earlier this year, the government suggested changes to MOTs that would mean that they’re only required once every 2 years.
Under the current rules, MOTs are legally required every 12 months for any vehicles aged 3 years and over, to ensure that they are road legal and to keep drivers, fleets, and road users safe.
New vehicles are exempt for the first 3 years from the date that the vehicle is registered, but potential changes to the system have presented concerns for many.
Why Would MOT rules change?
With the cost-of-living crisis becoming a significant concern for many people, the government has been looking for ways to help reduce costs for households.
One of the suggestions was that an increase in the length of time between MOTs could save drivers having to pay for the essential servicing and any potential costs arising from that.
The first issue with that is the fact that the cost of MOTs is capped by the government (£54.85 for a car and £29.65 for a motorcycle).
And the reality is that servicing is a requirement as well, which might see many drivers and fleets paying out more significant sums than they would just from MOTs. Not only that, but essential repairs and maintenance are unavoidable costs, and not having an annual MOT could simply result in failing to spot issues before they arise.
What About Road Safety?
The obvious question many fleet owners have been asking is what the effect on road safety will be, particularly if other drivers are operating vehicles that haven’t had an MOT for almost 2 years.
There is, however, some positivity…
Because the fact that the government is exploring the potential of changes to the MOT system suggests that they’re considering changes that could benefit everyone from a safety perspective.
Safety will always be the number one priority when it comes to you and your drivers, as it should be.
And that means any changes to MOTs and the legal requirements of drivers should be carefully considered by the government and the concerns of fleet owners must be listened to.
Regular thorough safety checks are an essential part of vehicle maintenance and fleet owners have a duty to ensure they’re followed through on – which they do.
The issue is that personal vehicle maintenance doesn’t always get the same attention, which could mean an increased safety risk for fleets.
MOTs have formed a crucial part of the UK’s road safety network since they were introduced in 1960, and any changes that are made should be carefully considered before they’re made.
How do you feel about any potential changes to the MOT system? Would an MOT every 2 years be beneficial, or do you have concerns about the impact on road safety? Let us know in the comments below…
