Hidden costs of MOT extension
Intelligent Motoring has warned against extending MOTs to every two years, saying it could well cost motorists more in the long run.
It said that because of the rising cost of vehicle repairs, the short-term financial gains from delaying an MOT by 12 months will have long term financial implications, as well as significant road-safety consequences.
Data analysis from Intelligent Motoring reveals the cost of vehicle repairs has risen on average by 33% January-June 2022, compared to the same period in 2021. These costs are expected to continue to rise.
Duncan McClure Fisher said: “With the cost-of-living crisis hitting households hard across the UK, the industry and government has a duty to responsibly support consumers in managing their finances during these difficult times. Delaying repairs to vehicles for short-term financial gain is not an answer.
“Our analysis of service, repair and maintenance claims confirms that the costs are rising and this is likely to continue. A small fault today already costs a third more to rectify than it did this time last year. Leave this small fault to develop another 18-24 months and the cost implications could be significant, let alone the safety risk it could pose to the driver, their passengers and other road users.
“We must not forget that the UK has one of the best road safety records in the world and this is due in no small part to our current MOT system.”
Meanwhile, previous research carried out by Intelligent Motoring revealed that UK motorists could save around £2bn every year simply by making sure they get their MOT test done at the same time as their annual vehicle service.
