Majority of Britons support stricter MOTs to tackle loud vehicles

Study shows strong public demand for a major crackdown on excessively noisy cars, with three in five drivers favouring camera technology and harsher penalties

Majority of Britons support stricter MOTs to tackle loud vehicles
Photo: Bigstock

A new report indicates that the majority of Britons support a major crackdown on loud cars, including using camera technology to automatically issue fines to drivers who breach noise limits.

A poll of 1,138 motorists conducted by Auto Express found significant public frustration with noisy engines and exhausts, with over half of UK adults (54 per cent) reporting they have been disturbed by loud vehicles. Over a third (33 per cent) said noisy cars make it less enjoyable to spend time in their gardens, and three in ten claimed the noise has woken them or their family at night.

The survey revealed strong support for firmer action:

  • Three in five drivers surveyed (60 per cent) are in favour of installing microphone–equipped noise cameras—like those already used in parts of London—to automatically identify and fine noisy motorists.
  • 63 per cent backed stricter MOT rules regarding exhaust noise and modifications.
  • 67 per cent believe the current £50 on–the–spot fines for noisy exhausts should be significantly higher.

Paul Barker, editor of Auto Express, said: “Our research shows just how strongly the public feels about noisy cars, with more than half saying excessively loud vehicles are having a direct, negative impact on their daily lives.”

Acoustic or ‘noise cameras’ detect noise levels of passing vehicles and automatically record footage when a noise of 80dB or higher is registered. This footage is then used by enforcement officers to issue penalty charge notices.

Barker noted that the shift to electric vehicles should lead to a reduction in overall noise pollution, as the average EV is around 10dB quieter than a combustion engine car. While the current legal noise limit for new cars is 72dB, this will fall further to 68dB from 2026.

Source: Daily Mail

3 Comments

  1. Surely the police could have done more to remove these vehicles through existing laws. The drivers have even made it easier for the police to locate them

    Reply
  2. that’s already a mot failed if louder then a standed system

    Reply
  3. i am a tester we need a set mearsurement on noisy exhausts the tool is out there for this but dvsa is not interested in getting it in place a price increase would be nice to ie 9 years without a price increase on mots hurts the mot scheme to modernise the scheme for stuff like this

    Reply

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