Opinion: We’re in uncharted territory mistakes will be made and the MOT extension is a big one

[Mike Ruff, GW editor]

Well these are interesting days that none of us have ever experienced the like of. Andy Parsons of Shortfield garage in Surrey. As we entered March th
[See the full post at: Opinion: We’re in uncharted territory mistakes will be made and the MOT extension is a big one]

[Paul]

This is a very bitter pill to swallow.
Can and encouraged to service and fix key workers cars.
Can go to Macdonalds and buy a takeaway.
Can go to Primark and buy some trousers and shoes.
Can go to the beach, can go to the parks.
Zoos are open for me to see the animals.
Gyms and restaurants are planned to open next month.
All this but for years its been deemed for a car to be safe on the roads it needs a yearly inspection after 3 years old.
What is going on that then Deems Mots (that keep cars safe) are too dangerous for inspectors and public?

[Dougal]

There was a need for this when it started but that need has passed.
It should be immediately changed to a 1 month extension.
This is creating a bulge in demand in the autumn by which time there will be less testers in employment.

[Barry Chandler]

We were in the same position and had to close for seven weeks after the phones just stopped ringing, unless it was to cancel a pre-booked test! Likewise, we’re open again but I have already heard of several test stations that won’t ever be re-opening. All the issues involved in being a test station, making you jump all through the hoops, make substantial investments in training and equipment and then they go and take away your income from testing. Some have finally had enough and have sold up to developers.

[Epicyclic]

Government has long wanted to meddle with the vehicle testing regime in this country, but every attempt previously has been thwarted by wide-spread and well-reasoned opposition. Covid-19 however provided the ideal pretext to meddle and to do so without the need for any of that irksome consultation.

When Andy says that the test is “to be extended six months, on a weekly basis with the option to stop it at any point”, he is completely missing the central point of the government announcement made on 25 March, which can be seen at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/vehicle-owners-to-be-granted-mot-exemption-in-battle-against-coronavirus. On that page can be seen the following: “Legislation will be introduced on 30 March 2020 and will come into immediate effect for 12 months”.

Once this is taken into account, a large chunk of Andy’s analysis is, unfortunately, mistaken.

[Joe digney]

Don’t think they th it through very well what about the cars no three years old with the extension they may no have b checked for three y did a first mot today with over 90k o the clock not been serviced si 30k and fai miserably on brakes and a br spring imagine how it wo be in ano six months without a check

[Phil Dunmore]

An unfortunate fact being ignored in many of the statistics being bandied around about mot extensions is the type of vehicle owners that will take advantage of the full six months.
The will be people with a poor regard for maintenance. A significant portion will be influenced by supposed financial savings. Therefore likelihood of vehicle being in poor condition in first place is high.
I can see some being so bad come test time they will be scrapped, creating a further shortage of used cars.

[Joe brolin]

I havent noticed any drop in trade being in servicing aswell i am nearly as busy as ever without mots with people having time to have their vehicle serviced and repaired. Just because the mots are issuing extensions the blame isnt on the government. The condition of the vehicle soley falls on the owner. Just because their mot has been extended doesnt mean that they shouldnt have their vehicle fully checked a point i have made to many customers. The condition of a vehicle isnt the governments responsiblity its soley the registered keeper

[Author]

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