Is a multi-tiered approach to the MOT right for the modern era?

We explore what an alternative MOT system could look like

Is a multi-tiered approach to the MOT right for the modern era?
Photo: Bigstock

The MOT test, a cornerstone of UK road safety since 1960, might be on the cusp of a significant change. With classic car enthusiasts pushing for tailored inspections and conversations around extending the initial MOT test deadline – as is already the case in Northern Ireland.

The question has to be asked: Could a multi-tiered MOT system be the answer?

The case for change

Classic car owners argue that the current MOT test doesn’t cater to their unique needs. Their vehicles, often meticulously maintained, might not be driven frequently, raising concerns about the relevance of certain checks. Some classic car features, like older emissions systems, could be deemed non-essential for roadworthiness, leading to unnecessary repairs and potential modifications.

A separate MOT test for classic vehicles, as proposed by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC), could address these concerns. This “classic car MOT” would focus on core safety checks, ensuring the vehicle remains roadworthy without hindering its historical integrity.

Extending the initial MOT and introducing an “MOT Lite”

Another area of discussion is the timing of the first MOT test. Currently, cars require their first MOT at three years old. The Department for Transport (DfT) has considered extending this to four years, citing data suggesting newer vehicles experience fewer faults during this period – as vehicle quality has increased over the last 20/30 years, roadworthiness in the first few years should, in theory, be unquestionable from a mechanical standpoint.

While a four-year delay for new cars presents a potential benefit, it also raises concerns about neglecting essential safety checks. But here’s where an “MOT Lite” could be introduced. This test, ideally administered at three years, would focus on critical safety areas like tyres, lights, and brakes – the things that most drivers seemingly neglect, especially when ‘It’s a new car, it’s fine’ kicks in.

Tyre safety: A compelling argument for the “MOT Lite”

Statistics paint a concerning picture regarding tyre safety in the UK. According to Bridgestone, over a third of motorists don’t regularly check their tyres, which significantly impacts road safety for us all. An “MOT Lite” at the three-year mark could address this issue by ensuring tyre tread depth, inflation pressure, and overall condition are inspected by a qualified professional.

But Sophie Lyden aka “The Tyre Lady” goes a step further, advocating for yearly tyre checks to be mandatory for all.

As someone who works within a tyre garage/service centre, the MOT sheets we currently see are very… lengthy. I would say out of 8 MOTs a day, we would see 6 with advisories or failures for tyres. This is why I think even a yearly check would benefit motorists massively. It would pick up on issues before they get worse and keep the high mileage drivers safe as it would pick up their tyre issues a lot sooner than at the 3 year mark.

It would be positive if a tiered system were implemented, regardless of my personal opinion, as it recognises that tyres are an issue on our roads, and without this, we can never resolve the problem.

The Pros and Cons of a multi-tiered MOT system

Those in favour of a multi-tiered system highlight several potential advantages:

  • Tailored checks for classic cars: Classic car owners get a more appropriate inspection, preserving their vehicles’ historical value, without having to comply with ‘up-to-date’ safety.
  • Reduced costs and time: Extending the initial MOT and introducing a potentially less extensive “MOT Lite” could lead to cost savings and shorter inspection times for some vehicles.
  • Improved tyre safety: An “MOT Lite” at three years could significantly enhance tyre safety on UK roads – historically, this has been the biggest causes of accidents nationwide, according to the DfT.

But, as with anything, there are downsides too…

  • Confusion and misunderstanding: A multi-tiered system might lead to confusion among motorists regarding which test their vehicle requires and at what time.
  • Reduced overall safety: Concerns exist that delaying comprehensive MOT checks could compromise overall vehicle safety, particularly when it comes to newer electric vehicles imported by large Chinese brands.
  • Increased burden on garages: Offering multiple MOT tiers could add complexity and potential administrative burdens for garages. The humble MOT is already cheap when you take into account most labour rates, how would an ‘MOT Lite’ be charged out? Would it be worthwhile for garages to carry out?

The road ahead

The possibility of a multi-tiered MOT system in the UK is a new, but evolving conversation. Balancing the needs of classic car enthusiasts and new vehicles, all while still ensuring overall road safety is obvoiusly key. The potential benefits of an “MOT Lite” in promoting tyre safety which is often so overlooked also warrant some serious thought.

If the idea was to ever move forward, extensive consultations with classic car owners, garages, motoring organisations, and safety advocates will be essential. Striking the right balance through a multi-tiered system or refining the current MOT format won’t be easy.

But what do you think? Let us know in the comments.

16 Comments

  1. the public do not fully understand the current system a lot of customers still assume an mot is a major service
    plus at present costs any garage struggles to make an mot bay pay and none of us can find new staff
    main thing that needs to change is charge out fee of mot £70.00 per test is more sensible for all of us
    also in our test bays first mots generaly fail on tyres and brakes due to lack of service checks

    Reply
    • Totally agree, however if you take the £54.85 of 14 years ago and put it through the Bank of England’s inflation checked it works out at £82.32. If you then say we have been all subsidising the country for MOT’s for the last 13 years it should look more like £100 plus.

      Reply
  2. When is the MOT cost going to increase? Last increase was April 2010!

    Reply
  3. I believe that any classic car that is used on the road should have an MOT. We have a sixty year old car here where someone has removed the original drum brakes and fitted disc brakes. Not only have the callipers been fitted to the wrong side and upside down but the flexible brake hoses have been cable tied into the mounting bracket holes, the holes way too big, allowing the hoses to flap about. Consequently, the brake hoses have been rubbing on the tyres and nearly worn through. A yearly MOT would ensure that hugely dangerous scenarios such this would be dealt with.
    I also agree with Scott Brown, the fee needs to rise.

    Reply
  4. A 4 year mot of any kind is ridiculous, especially the state of the roads if anything the mot for new cars should be brought down to 2 years.
    Bringing the mot test in for classic cars would be the best thing ever, Alot of classic cars have been found/stored in a garage or lock up for 1 maybe 2 years or more at the moment we can just jump in them and off we go, sticking brakes, welding needed, etc. I understand that a classic car mot is slightly different and not all mot testers will understand the working of them but its their choice if they want to mot them or not, but there are many of us that do understand them.
    I think that the price of the mot should be set and all garages should be made to charge the same.

    Reply
  5. As a user and classsic car owner I believe £70 a year for a safety check is acceptable it equates to a pint of beer (or gin and tonic) per month (less in London)
    I see no reason to extend three years to four (agreeing with other comments)
    I believe classic cars should have an annual check – it doesn’t matter how little mileage they do or how slow they go, all cars deteriorate over a year. and again why worry about £70 ? If it’s going to be on the road it is insured;,tax isn’t necessary so what’s the problem?

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  6. I don’t know why they keep trying to mess around with the MOT, leave it at 3 years and every year after that. At 3 years they often come in with tyres in a dangerous condition.
    The MOT fee definitely needs to increase, to cover the cost of the Testers wages, as there is such a shortage of Testers now, you have to pay them the earth

    Reply
  7. If they change the first MOT for a vehicle to 4 years and not 3 then it should be 50,000 miles or 4 years (whichever is the soonest).
    All MOT garages want the price to increase and be fixed.

    Reply
  8. We mot motorcycles and by the time we see some new bikes especially the chinese motorcycles they are sometimes past the point of repair so going to 4 years for a first MOT on this type of vehicle would be very dangerous also the same with some of the older bikes that are exempt from MOT’S .
    Also agree with everyone else the fee needs to be increased how has it managed to stay the same for the last 14 years I cannot think of any other cost which has remained the same so why are we not treated the same it should have increased each year by the rate of inflation at least

    Reply
    • Realistically the MOT should be £70to £90 it’s not viable in current
      Form £54 less wages less equipment costs do not add up & you pay a slot £2-10 and if it fails another slot £2-10 so net £49 -80

      Reply
      • The MOT price needs to increase to a fixed rate at least £70 + it’s got to the point where youngsters don’t want to come into the trade cause there is no money in it anymore I’m worried for the future seeing many garages closing recently. Fun fact there is a lot of barbers charging £50 for a haircut, how can the price of a MOT be the same as a haircut. Considering to learn how to cut hair or find a way out of the trade asap it’s now finished I’m afraid

        Reply
  9. The mot test is the best thing that ever happened for road safety it doesn’t matter what age the vehicle is if you do your job properly as they say it’s only got to be right at time of test which I agree but there are good and bad testing stations the mot standards for me is amazing if we all do our jobs right road safety should be impeccable but the answer still stand there are good and bad in every body meaning people regarding testing stations i agree with the price increase as our costs have gone up immensely do your job right and you should keep your station running efficiently it still my station still brings me in a lot of work so we shouldn’t moan look after it and it will look after you Steve west wales

    Reply
  10. The priority for me and my company does alot of tests, is to get the price up, as reflected so well in the other comments. As an industry we are shooting ourselves in the foot by not forcibly arguing the case. This should be a priority for IGA and if they cannot or will not do it maybe we should form our own MOT price increase action group. With 23000 test stations, the majority of which are independent other should in theory be support. What do people think?

    Reply
  11. Some great comments to read through, definitely 100% agree the cost of a test needs to be increased and personally think it should be a fixed price too, discounted mot’s don’t benefit anyone.!!
    Regarding classic cars, still don’t see where anyone can actually argue that it’s not suitable for older vehicles, that it doesn’t need one we only use it 3 days a year, its better than new, it’s worth 100k, it damages the historic integrity of the vehicle and modem testing methods are not suitable.!!! What a load of bollocks, a MOT is a MOT and the manual covers all vehicles, irrespective of age.!! If it’s on the road and it’s not tested, it could pose a potentially dangerous safety risk not just to the driver, passenger but any other road user, including pedestrians.!! Again it’s the minimum requirement safety standard, and IF your a RESPONSIBLE motorist, IF it’s as good as you say it is, IF it’s your pride and joy, what exactly is the issue.?? Beyond me.!! And I personally test a LOT of 1960’s 70’s mot exempt classics no dramas at all and never really any complaints to be fair.!!
    3 years for first test is more than long enough, also agree tyres are one of the main things, we see so many cars 2 years old with bad tyres it’s bizarre really, if not worn there seems to be a hell of a lot that perish very badly, as we all also know responsible motorists are on top but so many people aren’t.!! Also now more than ever maintaining a vehicle properly is expensive and a lot of people will cut corners to prolong the agony or save a few quid and it’s alright it’s fine, and do not factor these costs into there vehicle purchase.!! These are where the issues start I’m afraid so 3 years needs to stay and then yearly without a doubt.!!! Rich, North Yorkshire.

    Reply
  12. The mot price is a joke at £54.85 not gone up in ten years , all other costs have gone up wages , rates ,elec calibration cost and equipment . mot should be £85.00

    Reply
  13. No need to mess about with the mot (as poor as it is) Just make drivers aware they are responsible for making sure their vehicle conforms (even though they already are) and educate them through their wallet if it is not.
    A few heavy fines/penalty points would work wonders and be self financing.

    Reply

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