NEW cars will continue to have their first MOT three years after purchase, followed by annual tests, in a major relief for drivers.
The Government had been considering extending them to once every two years and a car’s first test to four years in a bid to help Brits during the cost-of-living crisis.
New cars will continue to have their first MOT three years after purchase, followed by annual testsAlamy
But concerns were raised over road safety by industry experts and drivers alike.
Roads Minister Guy Opperman said the Government’s decision to keep things as they are showed it was once again “on the side of motorists”.
The move was made after a year-long review and heavy debate from motoring groups, such as the AA, which claimed axing annual tests would “put lives at risk” because it would “likely increase the number of unroadworthy vehicles on our roads”.
Mr Opperman said: “We have listened to drivers and industry, and keeping MOTs in their current form shows once again that we are on the side of motorists.
“By offering clarity on MOT tests, alongside our recent street works consultation and unprecedented £8.3 billion to resurface roads, we are helping motorists drive with peace of mind and ensuring Britain’s roads continue to be some of the safest in the world.”
The Department for Transport said it will continue to work with the industry to establish a plan for longer-term reform in light of modern-day cars and Electric Vehicles (EVs).
It also vowed to keep an eye on new car technologies, like driver assistance systems, to decide if its need to change the MOT test to check these features properly.
AA CEO Jakob Pfaudler said their polling showed drivers overwhelmingly (83%) supported the annual MOT for keeping their cars and other cars safe.
He added: “With one in 10 cars failing their first MOT, we fully support the Government’s pragmatic decision to maintain the first MOT at three years and annually thereafter.”