The number of vehicles failing the emissions test has significantly increased following the introduction of new stricter limits in May of this year.
Since the DVSA changed the MOT test six months ago, official figures show that nearly 750,000 cars have failed the new emissions test.
This compares to 350,000 failing during the same period in 2017.
A total of 238,871 diesel and 505,721 petrol cars failed the new emissions test and cannot pass the MOT until they have been repaired.
The new test also saw a 548 per cent increase in the number of diesel vans failing emission tests, increasing from 3,585 in 2017 to 19,648 in 2018.
As part of Road Safety Week, the DVSA has this week said that the new stricter MOT emission tests are helping improve air quality.
Air quality
DVSA chief executive, Gareth Llewellyn said: “DVSA’s priority is to help everyone keep their vehicle safe to drive.
“We are committed to making a real difference to those in society whose lives and health are blighted by poor air quality.”
The government has set out in its air quality plan that the UK will end the sale of new conventional petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2040.
Meanwhile, the DfT’s Road to Zero Strategy sets out how the government will support the transition to zero emission road transport and reduce emissions from conventional vehicles.
Other changes to the MOT introduced in May 2018 include new checks on vehicle lighting, checks on fluid leaks posing an environmental risk and clearer defect categories.
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