Hydebank MOT Centre opening likely delayed until 2026 amid contract termination

Concerns raised over further delays to new vehicle testing facility in Northern Ireland

Hydebank MOT Centre opening likely delayed until 2026 amid contract termination

Concerns have emerged that the new Hydebank MoT centre in Northern Ireland, initially scheduled to open in 2022, is now unlikely to become operational before 2026. UTV has reported that the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) has reached a mutual agreement with the vehicle testing equipment company, Worldwide Environmental Products Inc (WEP), to terminate its contract.

WEP, a US-based firm, had been in a legal dispute with the DVA since late 2024 following the DVA’s decision to terminate their contract. The DVA has informed UTV that a new procurement process is underway, with hopes of awarding a new contract later this year.

Deborah Erskine MLA, Chair of Stormont’s Infrastructure Committee, acknowledged the contract termination but expressed concerns regarding the revised opening date and the financial implications for the public. She suggested that the necessary procurement and tender processes would realistically lead to a further delay, potentially pushing the opening to 2026, pending confirmation from the Department.

The Hydebank centre, along with another planned facility in Mallusk, has faced several delays. Once operational, these new centres are expected to increase the MoT testing capacity in Northern Ireland by approximately 200,000 tests annually. Planning permission for the Hydebank site was granted in 2019, and WEP Inc secured the equipment supply and installation contract in the same year. The DVA’s previous attempts to terminate the contract in 2022 were legally challenged by WEP.

The DVA stated that an open procurement competition for a new Vehicle Testing Solution has been advertised and anticipates awarding the new contract later in 2025. The DVA did not comment on any potential financial agreement reached with WEP Inc during the termination process.

While the new centres are being progressed, the DVA has reduced the MoT testing backlog from around 100 days to approximately 30 days through measures such as employing more staff and offering tests on Sundays and Bank Holidays. A significant factor in reducing the backlog has been the introduction of one-year Temporary Exemption Certificates (TECs) for cars aged 5 and 7, removing around 10% of vehicles from the system. The Department for Infrastructure recently concluded a consultation on the potential introduction of biennial testing.

Source: ITV News

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