Keeping Britain’s Roads Safe For All

Questions and Answers

What is the PRO-MOTE campaign?

The PROMOTE campaign has been established in response to the Government’s plan to consider reducing the frequency of MOT tests. We are a broad-based coalition representing road safety groups, motoring organisations and industry bodies all opposed to what are dangerous, expensive and unwanted plans.

Who is supporting it?

It is supported by a range of organisations including road safety groups, motoring organisations and industry bodies. Supporters include the RAC, AA, Brake, Aviva, Halfords, Kwik Fit, the Retail Motor Industry Federation and British Cycling. All are united in opposition to proposals to reduce the frequency of MOT testing. You can see a full list of our supporters and details of how to join here.

Why are you setting it up now?

The Government has said it is going to review the MOT and has said that frequency will be form a key part of that review.

Why are you against a review of the MOT? Surely, it is sensible to look at this and see if changes need to be made?

We support any review to be make the MOT test more effective. But reducing frequency can only mean an increase in the number of unsafe cars on the road and the Government should say that reducing frequency will not form part of the review.

Dangerous

The MOT Test helps to keep our roads safe. (Picture, Creative Commons licence)

Modern cars are much safer than older models, yet we have a testing regime that is 50 years old. Isn’t it right for the Government to update the test?

PRO-MOTE is in favour of reviewing the MOT system to ensure that cars and vans using Britain’s roads are as safe and reliable as possible. But reducing frequency is dangerous, expensive and unwanted by drivers themselves.

The Department of Transport itself has estimated that moving to two-yearly tests could increase the number of deaths and serious injuries by almost 3,000 a year – that’s more than 50 more every week.

Since modern cars are more reliable, doesn’t it follow that there’s no need to test them as often?

Newer cars are as likely to suffer from defects like brakes and tyre wear as older cars. Even under the existing system 20% of vehicles fail the first test at Year 3. Moving that to four years, will double the number of failures and will inevitably mean more unroadworthy and dangerous cars on the road.

What safety implications will changing the frequency of the test have?

All research on this issues shows that less frequent testing means more defective cars on the road which, in turn, increases the number of deaths and injuries. The Department for Transport’s own research in 2008 found that moving from 3-1-1 to 4-2-2 risked increasing the number of deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by almost 3,000 each year.

How many deaths and serious injuries are caused by car defects?

The DfT has estimated that under the existing regime, anything between 3% to 10% of all accidents are caused by car defects. Such a figure will inevitably rise with less frequent tests.

The Government's figures/report suggests that safety won't be a significant factor if frequency is reduced, but you say it will be. What’s your evidence for this claim?

The DfT’s own report from 2008 found that moving to a 4-2-2 testing regime risked causing up to 3,000 more deaths and serious injuries on our roads every year – that’s more than 50 more deaths and serious injuries on our roads every week.

Even the Transport Research Laboratory report published earlier this year, which the Government uses to justify its position, is quite clear in its conclusions that reducing frequency would increase road accidents and casualties.

The MOT test

What do you think the Government can do to reduce the burden for motorists?

Reducing the frequency of MOT testing can only increase the burden on motorists. Fewer safety tests mean more crashes and greater upward pressure on insurance premiums. In addition, repair bills will probably increase too as smaller defects are left unchecked for longer and so causing more damage to the vehicle over the longer term.

The motorist has been clobbered over recent years; shouldn’t we applaud the Government for trying to reduce the burden on motorists?

Reducing MOT testing will more than likely INCREASE the financial burden on motorists so this is not one that the Government should be using for that purpose. This is the view of both the UK’s largest motoring organisations, the AA and the RAC.

How many defective cars does the MOT test pick up every year?

At present, more than four in ten cars fail their MOT test. About 800,000 are found to have defects that make them dangerous to drive on the road. It is estimated that this figure could double under a 4-2-2 system

What will be the effect of reducing the frequency of the MOT test?

The effect will be to increase the number of defective cars on the road causing more accidents and more deaths and serious injuries. It will also increase carbon emissions into the environment and will result in thousands of jobs lost in the MOT trade.

What evidence is there that reducing the MOT frequency will cost the motorist money?

Replacing annual tests with two-yearly checks may reduce MOT fees motorists have to pay – currently £54.85, although discounting of the fee is widespread and free re-tests common. But these are likely to be far outweighed by the additional costs associated with repairs required and higher insurance premiums.

Won't your customers/motorists welcome the fact that the MOT will become a two yearly job?

There is plenty of evidence that the driving public supports the existing MOT test frequency. Last year, the MOT Trade Forum surveyed 4,200 motorists at their garages and found 92% in favour annual tests. A survey by the AA earlier this year showed little