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NFDA-NI WELCOMES DEPARTMENT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE CONSULTATION ON BIENNIAL MOT TESTING

NFDA 24/01/2025

“NFDA-NI welcomes the Department for Infrastructure’s launch of a consultation on biennial MOT testing. The consultation comes amid the ongoing MOT testing crisis in the region, which remains critical and continues to negatively impact consumers and dealers in equal measure” said Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) which represents car and commercial retailers across the UK.

On 22 January 2025, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) in Northern Ireland (NI) launched a consultation* on biennial MOT testing.

The consultation will run for twelve weeks, closing on 16 April 2025 at 11:59pm.

Following the closure of the consultation, the feedback will be analysed, and a report will be presented to the Infrastructure Minister, John O’Dowd, for his consideration. In his ministerial foreword, O’Dowd highlights ‘that vehicle testing is a devolved matter, and so any move to biennial MOT testing would entail an Act of the NI Assembly’.

Under current regulations in NI, private cars and motorcycles are first MOT tested at 4 years old and light goods vehicles under 3,500kg are first tested at 3 years old. These requirements will remain unchanged, regardless of the outcome of the consultation.

All of those vehicle categories are tested annually thereafter. The consultation is seeking input on the possibility of changing the testing frequency to once every two years, starting after the initial MOT test and builds on the evidence gathered by the 2021 Call for Evidence on the issue.

The consultation will be running against the backdrop of a persistent MOT crisis in the region, with the current regime struggling to recover from disruptions caused by COVID-19 lockdowns, which extended an already existing backlog, and from defective vehicle lift equipment which was found in almost all MOT testing centres across the region in late 2019, leading to tests being suspended.

NFDA-NI has been vocal about the MOT issues in the region, consistently highlighting areas for improvement, engaging in meetings with DVA officials, and sending correspondence to the Infrastructure Minister. NFDA-NI has also highlighted the negative impact of the MOT crisis, which continues to compromise road safety and adversely impact businesses including the region’s car dealer network.

Robinson added: “The consultation offers an opportunity for the industry to contribute further insight into the current MOT regime. NFDA-NI will be preparing its response over the next few weeks on behalf of its members.

“NFDA-NI remains steadfast in its belief that Northern Ireland deserves an MOT regime that is fit for purpose.”

https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/consultations/biennial-mot-test-consultation

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About the RMI

The Retail Motor Industry represents the interests of operators in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man providing sales and services to motorists and businesses. The RMI has a formal association with the independent Scottish Motor Trade Association which represents the retail motor industry in Scotland.