The temporary MoT exemption is positive as it will allow vital services to continue and aftersales workshops to prioritise essential repair works on critical vehicles, said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association.
On Sunday 22 March, NFDA wrote to the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP asking for a three-month MoT moratorium. Today, the Government has communicated that vehicle owners will be granted MoT exemption “in battle against coronavirus”.
The Government said all cars, light vans and motorcycles which usually would require an MOT test will be exempted from needing a test from 30 March 2020. The exemption will last six months.
“Vehicles must be kept in a roadworthy condition, and garages will remain open for essential repair work. Drivers can be prosecuted if driving unsafe vehicles”, the Government added.
Practical driving tests and annual testing for lorries, buses and coaches have already been suspended for up to 3 months.
If motorists cannot get an MoT which is due, because they are in self-isolation, the Department for Transport is working with insurers and the police to ensure people are not “unfairly penalised”.
Sue Robinson continued, “We welcome the Transport Secretary’s comments that ‘safety is key’ and aftersales departments will remain open for essential repair work”.
