Europe plans MOT test/repair centre divide

19 March 2013  

A PROPOSAL from the European Commission could see garages with MOT test lanes banned from repairing vehicles that have failed the test.

Under the draft proposal car owners would be forced to remove their vehicles – presumably by trailer – to a garage different to the one that carried out the test.

The measure is the latest in a raft of ideas known as the ‘Roadworthiness Package’ being put together by the European Commission. Other proposals include testing based on mileage instead of time, removing the requirement to test pre-1983 cars and outlawing aftermarket remapping of vehicles.

The commission’s Vice President Siim Kallas responsible for transport was quoted in an EU statement about the package saying: “It’s not complicated; we don’t want these potentially lethal cars on our roads.”

However, Stuart James of the RMIs Independent Garage Association said: “The IGA is extremely concerned about the proposal that will bar MOT testers from repairing a vehicle that has failed the test and re-testing the same vehicle.”

“The UK has the one of the highest safety rates on MOT tests and having the same tester has no bearing on this. All this new proposal does is cast unnecessary doubt on the credibility of testers as well as the industry as a whole. The threat may not just be to re-tests but the separation of tests from other activities. The proposal could be interpreted as all testing being separate from repair premises and companies.”

“The move would be seriously detrimental to our members who are already struggling to do business within a stagnant economy. The proposal would result  in the businesses having to recruit additional resources and qualified testers creating the substantial burden of additional cost which unfortunately would have to be passed on to their customers” he added.

Mr. James concluded that his organisation will continue to represent the interests of its members at the Commission.