The Department for Transport (DfT) has extended the closing date for its MOT consultation following a widespread campaign by automotive industry trade bodies.

Many in the motor sector say any changes to MOT frequencies would increase the number of dangerous vehicles on UK roads

The consultation was opened in January by the DfT and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to discuss the current MOT first date and subsequent test frequency to make it “fit for the future”.

While the Government has said it’s looking to save drivers money amid a cost-of-living crisis, many across the motor sector scotched such arguments by highlighting that the annual MOT fee is a very small proportion of a driver’s annual expenditure.

They also say that any changes to MOT frequencies would increase the number of dangerous vehicles on UK roads – and a petition to stop the plans has launched.

The consultation’s short response time also drew criticism from many in the industry, including the Independent Garage Association (IGA) and Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA) who met with the departments to ask why such a large and complex consultation covering 27 areas within the MOT test was published with only a six-week response period.

The DfT has now confirmed that it’s pushed back the close date for the consultation from 28 February to 22 March 2023.

The IGA said it was delighted its concerns over the consultation duration had been listened to.

Chief executive Stuart James said: “The initial six-week consultation period was far too short to thoroughly consider the impact that the many complex topics covered within could have on road safety. Allowing a further four weeks to the consultation period will enable stakeholders time to appropriately consider and respond to the extensive detail contained within the consultation documents.”

The association has also stressed it will continue its work to help stop the consultation’s proposals from going ahead.

IGA’s Stuart James said the association would “not relax our efforts to ensure that public are protected from the proposed move to a 4-1-1 MOT frequency, and will continue to work with the DfT throughout the consultation period and beyond”.

He also urged everyone to respond to the MOT consultation and sign the automotive trade bodies’ petition to stop the 4-1-1 MOT.

The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) also welcomed the longer consultation response time, which it had also campaigned for, and said it provided more time to build evidence to argue against the changes.

Sue Robinson, chief executive, said: “By elongating the consultation period it gives the industry more time to gather widespread information and crucial evidence from retailers to oppose the proposed changes to MOTs.

“Additionally, the extension to the consultation period allows the NFDA to have more time to discuss with our members and European counterparts to obtain insight and knowledge regarding their MOT testing policies, cross referencing this with ours and building on our evidence to counteract these proposed changes from government.”

The NFDA has also urged the public to sign the petition, which can be found here.

To access the MOT consultation, please click here.