Half of all the UK’s qualified MoT testers could be made redundant if the plans go ahead to extend MoT test intervals, the Retail Motor Industry Federation has warned the Government.

Vehicles currently receive their first MoT test at three years old, and are then re-tested annually. If the plans go through, vehicles will not undergo their first MoT test until they are four years old. Thereafter, they will only be checked every two years.

Approximately 12,000 of the 18,300 testing stations in the UK are independent garages that rely heavily on MoT income. This includes not only the test itself, but the associated servicing and repair work.

Ray Holloway, RMIF director of independent membership, says: “The move to a 4-2-2 system could leave many garages with little or no work for up to a year.

“Does the Government not realise that a move from a 3-1-1 testing programme to a 4-2-2 will mean that many cars will not need to be tested? With less custom coming through their doors, we will see thousands of MoT testing stations forced to shut down, and many thousands of qualified testers made redundant, perhaps half of all the testers in the UK.”

Holloway also believes that UK motorists will suffer: “When motorists would need an MoT, they would be unable to get one performed, which would have a knock-on effect on their ability to tax and insure their vehicles.

“The industry must continue to fight against 4-2-2 for its own sake, and for the millions of motorists in the UK.”