Aftermarket March 2023

vital part in keeping the UK’s roads amongst the safest in the world, and the IGA will work closely with the government to safeguard this record and ensure a fair, viable and safe future for the MOT system which protects all road users.” The IGA went on to write to Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh MP with a view to gaining her support on the issue. Stuart added: “While the Conservative government is spinning this consultation as a money-saving measure, they are only taking care of the wealthier among us who can afford to run a vehicle of four years old or less, to whom the average MOT fee of £40 has little impact.” Complex faults SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said: “SMMT and its members welcome the opportunity to work with government on the best way to improve the MOT in line with developing vehicle technology and other changes including ownership patterns.” He went on to say: “Although today’s vehicles are safer and more reliable than ever, safety critical components such as brakes and tyres continue to wear through normal use and lead to millions of MOT failures every year, including at the current first test at year three. Stretching MOT intervals will shrink the safety net and jeopardise the UK’s record of having some of the safest roads in the world in exchange for a small saving, which could actually cost consumers more in the long run as complex faults can develop over time.” GEA Chief Executive Julian Woods observed: “We agree that the MOT industry is overdue a review and fully support many elements of the consultation, but to us the underlying point of a MOT is to keep the roads, drivers and all other users of the highways as safe as reasonably possible. The MOT is firstly and should always be viewed as a safety inspection of vehicles used on our roads, ensuring they meet the basic safety requirements. So, what I struggle to understand is why the government could consider changing or reducing this requirement in any way. The government’s argument is that modern vehicles are safer and more reliable than ever before. While we agree massive improvements have been made when it comes to motor vehicle technology, basic physics has not changed and items such as brakes, tyres and windscreen wipers still wear and break. Having emergency braking systems built into a vehicle is great, but it still relies on the brakes actually working and the tyres being in a good enough condition to ensure that the vehicle can stop safely.” He continued: “Extending the period before a vehicle receives its first official safety inspection as a cost saving initiative does not make sense at all. The MOT test has not fundamentally changed in what is “The MOT plays a vital part in keeping the UK’s roads amongst the safest in the world” ” MARCH 2023 AFTERMARKET 9 # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # GROUPS T DUC PRO 8 IN RANGE WIDE automotive parts Remanufactured RING LS YMNO ECO AR CIRCUL AF OTARP TUCAF REM IN USED ANU A TERI A MW RA LES S %96 YTALI UQ CHING TA MEO $ $! ! $& $! $ % $" % %$%$ $" $ % " " $ " %$ % ! $ %$ % " $ " $ " $" "%" $ $ " $ $! % " " %! $ % $" $ " " % " % " % % "%%