Car insurance news - High car insurance quotes and u-turn on MOT test changes

Insurance news - Government makes u-turn on MOT changes proposal

Transport Secretary Justine Greening has announced that the Government's plan to change the frequency for MOT testing of new vehicles has been shelved.

The Government had proposed to make MOT inspections a requirement only after a vehicle was four years old, with tests then required every two years until the vehicle reached a certain age – a scheme which some car insurance holders and motoring experts supported and others felt was a threat to road safety.

Ministers had sought to aid motorists who were struggling financially due to expensive car insurance quotes and the increasing price of fuel, by making the need to pay for an MOT less frequent.

However, following a Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) study, it was found that more than a quarter of the inspections carried out in 2010 to 2011 had resulted in a car being passed despite it having defects.

This has led to a change of priorities for the Government, which has now stated that it will instead be focusing on making sure UK garages are consistent in their accurate assessment of vehicles.

Justine Greening stated, "Our garages are crucial to ensuring that Britain's roads continue to be among the safest in the world. Most are doing good work but the latest data shows that there is room for improvement.

"I want each motorist to be confident that a visit to the garage ends with their car repaired to a high standard by reputable mechanics rather than uncertainty about cost and the quality of service."

Although this decision against the MOT reform may disappoint some road users, who have not been able to find low cost car insurance quotes, it has been welcomed by the many road safety organisations concerned by the potential increase in road accidents which may have resulted.