The Government has refused to rule out changes to the MOT test to include specific checks for electric cars and the growing catalogue of driver assistance safety technology installed in the latest models.
It comes as the European Commission plans to make wholesale changes to its ‘periodic technical inspection’ (PTI) procedure – the rules for MOT-equivalent roadworthiness checks on cars, vans and motorcycles across the European Union.
Among the changes it outlined includes: ‘Adapting the PTI to electric vehicles and including new test elements for electronic safety systems through wider use of the electronic vehicle interface (including testing the software integrity of safety and emission-related systems).’
The latter is an increased focus on proving routine checks of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), such as adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, and lane keeping assist.
In response, the Department for Transport has told This is Money it will be reviewing the EC’s proposals.
New rules are already being trialled for the MOT test this year in a bid to tackle a growing scam that threatens to increase the number of dangerous vehicles being driven on Britain’s roads, which we explain below.
The DfT refused to rule out changes to the MOT test to include specific checks for electric cars and the growing catalogue of driver assistance safety technology installed in the latest models
The Commission last week posted its latest update on its planned revisions to the PTI.
It said current testing methods are outdated and ‘no longer sufficient to keep up with the rapid progress in vehicle technology’.
According to the EC: ‘Current testing methods have not been adapted to advances and roll-out of new technologies, such as advanced driver assistance features, and electric vehicles.’
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, commissioner for sustainable transport and tourism, added: ‘By modernising our roadworthiness rules we are harnessing the latest technology, strengthening enforcement, and ensuring they keep pace with the evolving realities of mobility.’
The proposals will now be considered by the European Parliament and the Council.
If agreed, the Commission will prepare the required acts for certain aspects of the implementation of the new rules across the EU.
And the BGovernment, despite not being required to do so, could follow suit by introducing similar changes to the MOT test.
The DfT told This is Money:’ The Department continually reviews the MOT system in Great Britain to ensure road safety and environmental standards are maintained.’
The spokesman added: ‘Any proposals for the European Union will be reviewed.’
According to the European Commission, its equivalent to the MOT test has not ‘been adapted to advances and roll-out of new technologies, such as advanced driver assistance features, and electric vehicles’. Pictured: A Tesla Model S
A new MOT rule is currently being trialled by garages
A commitment to review the EC’s draft changes comes after the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) introduced a new pilot this year to limit a concerning MOT-related scam.
‘Ghost MOTs’ – also referred to as ‘Bluetooth MOTs’ – is the practice of issuing a fraudulent certificate for a vehicle that has never been inspected and is likely not roadworthy.
Experts believe they account for roughly four in five counterfeit MOTs.
In a frantic effort to block this illegal practice, the DVSA has introduced new rules designed to block unscrupulous garages, which includes requiring mechanics to take photographic proof of cars being checked.
This is currently being trialled in a smaller number of garages in 2025.
Chris Price, head of MOT policy, told This is Money: ‘As part of this ongoing trial, testers will be asked to upload an image in real time to demonstrate that the right vehicle was present at the time of the test.
‘These changes could also help to reduce input errors during the point of testing by autofill.’
However, experts have criticised the move, saying it will not act as a deterrent to dodgy MOT testers making significant funds from the scam.
Earlier this year, the Independent Garage Association (IGA), which represents hundreds of vehicle maintenance and servicing businesses across the country, wrote to The Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to argue its case for raising the price of MOTs for the first time in 14 years.
It said the £54.85 limit for the annual roadworthiness test is ‘threatening the viability’ of small auto garages.
The association warned of the critical financial challenges posed by the ‘stagnant MOT fee cap’.
The IGA said small auto garages are already facing ‘inflationary pressures’ as well as rocketing parts prices that are unsustainable.
Back in January 2023, the Government also confirmed it would retain the existing frequency of the MOTs, having consulted on delaying a new car’s first MOT from the third to the fourth year – as well as extending the annual check-up to a biennial examination.
It had been suggested at the peak of the cost-of-living crisis that this would save motorists a combined £100million in MOT bills each year while having little impact on safety, suggesting new vehicles are far more robust today.
However, road safety groups blasted the move, saying it would trigger a spike in
It had launched its consultation in January last year to ensure roadworthiness checks continue to balance the cost to motorists, road safety, advances in vehicle technology and tackling vehicle emissions.
Proposals included changing the frequency of the vehicle safety test and improving the monitoring or emissions, with the Government saying the pushing requirement for the first MOT back from three to four years would save money.
However, the move was widely criticised by road safety experts who said it would see thousands of cars become ‘death traps on wheels’ as the average MOT pass rate was just 66 per cent.
