Consultation outcome

Changes to the date of the first MOT test and research into other MOT enhancements

From:
Department for Transport
Published
18 January 2023
Last updated
25 January 2024 — See all updates
This consultation has concluded

Download the full outcome

Date of the first MOT test: consultation response

PDF, 415 KB, 30 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email webmasterdft@dft.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Detail of outcome

The Department for Transport consulted about amending the date of the first MOT for cars, vans and motorcycles from 3 to 4 years, as well as areas that could be considered for reform in the future. 

Given the significant concerns about road safety that were raised, and that any potential savings made by motorists would be limited by the additional cost of potential defects not identified at the MOT, the government does not intend to proceed in changing the date of a vehicle’s first MOT.

There was support for an improved diesel emissions test and we will consider the results of a recent Driver Vehicle Standards Agency trial before deciding how to proceed. We have also identified 5 priority areas for future reform including electric vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems.

Detail of feedback received

We received more than 4,400 responses to the combined consultation and call for evidence about reforms to MOT testing.

Original consultation

Summary

Seeks views on whether we should change the timeframe for the first date a vehicle should be MOT tested and evidence and views on other changes to MOT testing.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

We are seeking views on whether the first date for a MOT test should be changed.

We are keen to understand:

  • when people think the first date should be
  • how making a change to this date will affect businesses
  • whether we should introduce any other changes to MOT testing

We will use this evidence to inform updates to policy, guidance, best practice and other policy tools across government.

Documents

Changes to the date of the first MOT test and research into other MOT enhancements

HTML

The Motor Vehicles (Obligatory Tests) Order 2022 impact assessment

PDF, 1.14 MB, 67 pages

Published 18 January 2023
Last updated 25 January 2024 + show all updates

  1. The consultation response has been published.

  2. Consultation closing date extended to 22 March 2023.

  3. First published.