Petition calls for industry support and action plan to correct ongoing effects of last year’s six-month MOT exemption

Work shortages to be repeated every spring/summer for "years to come"

Petition calls for industry support and action plan to correct ongoing effects of last year’s six-month MOT exemption
Image: Bigstock.

A new petition calling for a government action plan and financial support for garage businesses suffering from a significant drop in workloads has so far attracted 740 signatures.

MOT tester and managing director of Parkers MOT in Haywards Heath, Jonathan Barbara launched the petition in response to a “drastic shortage of work” caused by the six-month Covid MOT exemption introduced during the first lockdown last year.

The petition suggests government should produce a sector-specific financial support package to safeguard the future of jobs and businesses across the motor trade.

It claims garage businesses and their suppliers will continue to suffer the effects of the MOT exemption for long after the furlough scheme comes to an end in September later this year.

Related: Lobby group calls for stricter DPF checks during MOT

In a Facebook post promoting the petition, Jonathan said: “We are left with the consequences of a repetition in MOT and work shortages for years to come through no fault of our own.

“Solutions need to be found and the consequences cannot be ignored as our livelihoods are at risk.”

Meanwhile, predictions once again show the autumn months of 2021 to be significantly busier than usual as a result of last year’s six-month MOT exemption

In an attempt to rebalance MOT numbers, the DVSA recently urged motorists with a vehicle MOT due in August, September, October and November 2021 to bring their vehicle in for a test during May, June or July instead.

Related: DVSA urges motorists to bring MOT forward as exemption chaos continues

MOT due dates for cars, motorcycles and light vans were extended by six months between 30 March and 1 August 2020 in a bid to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

At the time, the Independent Garage Association warned that it would have a detrimental impact on the independent sector, which carries out over 80 per cent of the UK’s 30 million yearly MOT tests.

The petition must reach 10,000 signatures before 17 November for an official government response.

At 100,000 signatures it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

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Home Page Forums Petition calls for industry support and action plan to correct ongoing effects of last year’s six-month MOT exemption

Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)
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  • #212721 Reply

    A new petition calling for a government action plan and financial support for garage businesses suffering from a significant drop in workloads has so
    [See the full post at: Petition calls for industry support and action plan to correct ongoing effects of last year’s six-month MOT exemption]

    #212731 Reply
    Zoe Parton
    Guest

    Add my name to the petition please, fully support it. As stated MOT centers are struggling to survive this very difficult time. We are no exception. As a business we are usually in full flow Mon-Fri, these past few months have seen a dramatic drop in foot fall. Can we make it, time will tell.

    #212732 Reply
    Steve Baxter
    Guest

    Please add my name to the petition please

    #212733 Reply

    Hi Zoe, Steve, thanks for your comments. You’ll need to add your own names to the petition, which can be found here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/585533?fbclid=IwAR0TLVOYh3vANYBbcu_wc_PeHZfAQHU3OzK1iHYH2NoHoGpcVYS60chNXIg

    #212734 Reply
    Jo Gibbons
    Guest

    Signed

    #212735 Reply
    belinda teasdale
    Guest

    Have signed and shared this petition public
    I agree that something needs to be done
    May 2021 has been the worst month for us that I can remember

    #212736 Reply
    Davina Willis
    Guest

    I fully support this, please add my name to the petition.
    Davina Willis

    #212739 Reply
    John white
    Guest

    Petition signed. MOT’s have dramatically been affected, I’ve furloughed my main tester, and I’m carrying out what tests I have myself .
    Next year the furlough scheme will not be in place, and financially will be worse position, .
    As for the government asking the public to bring their MOT forward , you have got to be joking!!

    #212741 Reply
    wj warwick
    Guest

    add me

    #212740 Reply
    Mike But
    Guest

    Let mot test centres charge the true cost of carrying out the full test and stop discounting you cannot go to different post offices and get cheaper road tax.The test price has not risen for almost ten years no other industries have been made to hold their prices for that length of time.UNFAIR?

    #212835 Reply
    Steve
    Guest

    My vehicle repair business with a staff of six is experiencing a significant reduction in turnover due to the MOT extension scheme, and yet the agent for my council landlord has just announced an increase in my commercial rent of 40% – an attempt to recover money paid out in grants and relief to local businesses.

    I don’t expect handouts, but this is not the way to encourage businesses to continue to trade.

    #213368 Reply
    Steve Baxter
    Guest

    Signed

    #214138 Reply
    Richard
    Guest

    Giving the MOT extensions was one thing to help with Covid but can’t see why they couldn’t have retained the original expiry date’s though.!!!!!!

Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)

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