subject: MOT Failure Rates on the Rise [print this page] The number of vehicles that are failing their MOTs each year in Britain is continuing to fall. It has even been reported that MOTs could be scrapped in Britain altogether under new rules. It has been suggested that MOTs could be set biannually rather than each year. However, it's not surprising that many have revealed their worries about this move as they believe that it could result in there being lots more faulty cars on the roads. Some are even going so far as saying that it could increase fatalities on the roads.
The current MOT failure rate in Britain is 37% and this could worsen should vehicles have to wait 2 years for a test.
Other industry figures have suggested that we should decide when vehicles receive an MOT by make as some makes and models are far more prone to failure than others.
An EU directive will come into force from January 12th 2012 which will expand on the components that are currently being checked during an MOT these include examinations of electronic systems and analysis of carbon emissions.
The current legislation stipulates that UK cars must undertake an MOT after 3 years and then retake in annually from then on. A review on the system is being planned by the UK government later this year it will look at the levels of testing cars and small vans.
It's worth taking into account the fact that many car manufactures are now offering longer warranties than ever, which suggests that cars are now more reliable than they have been for a while. So perhaps MOTS could be made biannually but only for the newer models?
