MOT Changes Survey

F.A.O. members of the public also.

Time is now of the essence!


I recently e-mailed my local M.P. asking that he use his powers to protest against the DfT’s proposal to change the frequency of the first MoT test. He did not reply which makes me wonder why we are paying him. My letter below pretty much explains the situation and unless you want to risk the possibility of buying a ‘clocked’ car in the future or being held up in an otherwise preventable traffic jam or worse, (remember we are dealing with safety issues) I urge you to make your representations on line. The opportunity to take part expires on 16th April 2017 at 11:45pm.

Oh, and I nearly forgot, the DVSA who administer the MoT scheme, will, in the event of the first test going to year-four, lose somewhere in the region of £4.5m in *slot fees. Where do you think they will recover that from?

*a slot fee is what the DVSA charge their Vehicle Test Stations to issue a ‘pass’ certificate.




Dear Mr Argar,

MoT Test Proposals

In brief,

The Government’s proposal to move the first MoT test from three years of age, to year-four, is best not supported for the following reasons:-

1. Tyres especially will be more inclined to wear out and/or fail (owners can’t be relied upon to regularly make proper checks or have their vehicles serviced appropriately).
2. Mileage fraud (clocking) opportunities will increase as there will (then) be no official record until year-four.
3. The incidence of roadside break-down (because of, e.g. failed tyres) will increase and the roads infrastructure just can’t readily support more hold-ups and congestion. (Tyre pressure monitoring systems do not predict sudden deflation).
4. Statistics. Like for like comparisons against other E.U. countries are unlikely to be just that. I have seen no comparisons of, e.g. average annual vehicle mileages.
As an active MoT tester and expert witness I am absolutely confident that what I say above is correct and ask that you use your powers as my M.P. to get this proposal defeated.

Thank you.

Yours Sincerely

David Meredith, MIMI


www.gov.uk/government/consultations/extending-first-mot-date-to-4-years

Ladies & Gentlemen,

Yesterday, after chasing the local Roads Policing Unit for their opinion on the proposed 4-1-1, they declared that they, like DVSA, had to remain impartial. And after my M.P. did not reply to my two e-mails, I was seriously beginning to lose faith in the civil service/s. Nay, my original suspicions were simply re-confirmed.
They, the politicians etc. were exactly what I suspected they always had been (I’ll refrain from the next bit).

However, today upon arriving home from a busy day testing , there was an envelope on the mat bearing the House of Commons crest.
My M.P. had replied by traditional letter with photocopies of all his communications to Mr. Chris Grayling, Transport Secretary, championing my (our) cause and pouring praise on the points raised in my (above) letter.
I won’t copy it all here suffice to say he is still pushing C.G. for a reply and has promised to keep me informed.

What a breath of fresh air! I can’t tell you how pleased I am and if there is something more to say you will see it here first!
It would appear then that we have at least one M.P. on our side!

Best, Hooters.

Thanks on behalf of the Forum and all our members Hooters. Your time & effort are valued and fully appreciated Sir