MOT 6 month deferment

[MGR South Devon]

We are not a regular poster on the forums, but we thought we would give our view on the Government's decision to defer car and bike MOT's for six months.
The Independent Garage Association and the majority of small independent garages are very worried about the decision for the following reasons.
The deferment period is too long, coaches, buses and lorry have only a 3 month’s deferment which is fair enough; they are regulated by Operator Licences and carry out safety checks every 6 weeks and keep a log.
If you self-isolate and do not use your car during this period, fair enough, but if you use it for shopping or going to work, the onus is on the driver to keep the car safe and roadworthy. If you have bald tyres, defective brakes etc. you can still be prosecuted under the Road Traffic Offences Act with a maximum £2500 fine if you are caught out.

Two other points we are not sure about
Road fund tax usually requires the car to have a current MOT. If it runs out is the tax null and void. Not sure how this will now work.
Insurance companies normally only pay out a total loss claim if the MOT is valid, and sometimes not on repair claims, especially if the vehicle has bald tyres. How will they view this if they find the car is unsafe or not roadworthy; will they wriggle out of paying under these circumstances.

Looking at the full picture, how many independent garages and test stations will survive to be able to test all the extra vehicles in six months. Although garages and test stations are exempt from lockdown and the Government has asked them to stay open for key workers, with the loss of income from MOT’s many independents have decided to close up, and possibly may not survive to reopen again. The MOT back log in six months times will be horrendous, and many car owners will have lost their friendly local independent and have to rely on national ‘quick fit’ centres.

Those of us who are trying to stay open are providing collection and delivery, courtesy cars, and taking bookings by appointment only, to maintain social distancing between customers and staff, and following all hygiene rules.

Many owners of older ‘bangers, who do not worry too much about maintaining their cars properly and rubbing their hands together and will just continue to drive cars with bald tyres faulty brakes etc. This does not include our forum members who cherish and maintain their cars.

No doubt there will be some critics of this post who think we should all lock down and stay inside, but certain business are being told to continue and we have to do this to the best of our ability in the safest possible way. Especially if we want our business to survive these terrible times.

Finally, I would say to all Forum members please take care and keep safe and lets us hope we all survive these terrible times.
Lynn