Plans to increase the time for a first vehicle MOT from three to four years will be raised by MP Caroline Ansell in parliament following concern from one of Eastbourne’s oldest businesses.
Caroline went to Visick Cars in Lottbridge Drove this week to speak to owner Stephen Visick and MOT manager Tony Strugnell about a government consultation to extend the time before a first MOT and a change in the way emissions for cars are measured.
Stephen, whose family has run the business for 115 years, told the MP his primary concern was safety. He explained the garage regularly has three-year-old cars in for their first test that are in an unsafe condition.
Just last week a three-year-old car came in with heavily corroded brake pipes that would have resulted in a serious accident if they burst.
In 2021 14% of first time MOTs fail the test - mainly on safety critical defects - tyres, brakes and lights, he added.
He also explained the proposed changes would mean a reduction in business for test stations. Running an MOT test station profitably is already very challenging. The current maximum fee of £54.85 has been in place for 13 years but costs have increased massively.
A mileage-based MOT would be an ideal solution, he told Caroline, but currently the technology required to do that is not sufficiently widespread.
“I would like to thank Stephen and Tony for inviting me to visit and to talk about their concerns about these plans,” said Caroline.
“The government takes the view that cars are safer and more reliable and lowering the costs for motorists is important in these challenging times. However, the MOT industry has valid points that ministers, MPs and the public need to know about.
“Stephen is also rightly concerned about the viability of running an MOT test centre if changes are made.
“However, his concerns around safety are the most important. He is clear from his own experience that extending the time before the first MOT test will increase the number of unsafe vehicles on our roads.
“There is also the issue that this could actually be a false economy as the claimed cost saving will be eaten up by higher repair bills and increased insurance premiums.
“He believes the current system of a first MOT at three years and then annually afterwards works well.
“I told Stephen I am committed to raising this further in parliament and with the minister including the need for a potential debate.”
The Department for Transport’s, initial six-week, consultation period on the changes has been extended until March 22nd.
