As the industry starts to put pressure on the Government to finally act on the MOT fee cap, which hasn’t moved with inflation since 2010, PMM caught up with the country’s top independent tester in the country to find out what the fee means to them.
Based across four sites in and around South East London and Kent, The Test Centre boasts not only 80,000 plus tests per year, but also the busiest individual tester in the country. Speaking to PMM editor Kieran Nee, founder Ian Wills revealed that the industry is at “crisis point”, as he outlined an industry which encouraging bad behaviour due to a lack of Government intervention on the price MOT test stations are allowed to charge customers.
At £54.85, the price for a standard MOT test has not changed since Gordon Brown was in power, 16 years ago. Had it been raised in line with inflation, today it would stand at around £85. Meanwhile the IAAF argues that due to the increase in specialised equipment needed now, the price should be closer to £95.
According to Ian, the DVSA’s reasoning behind the lower cap is faulty: “The MOT is about the safety of the vehicle. It’s not about winning extra work from it and charging a higher labour rate. The DVSA thinks it should be a loss leader… we don’t do repairs, only the MOT, so we provide an unbiased test. It’s a method that is becoming more popular in the UK, thanks to people like Martin Lewis recommending it. However if the DVSA don’t do something about the price cap, it won’t survive much longer.”
Ian has written an open letter pleading with the IMI to take this matter up directly with the Government, and he reports a very enthusiastic response from the IMI’s CEO Nick Connor. Meanwhile, the IGA has been busy petitioning Government officials on the issue.
The Independent Garage Association released a statement recently, saying they have written to senior officials at the Department for Transport as well as the Treasury to make the case for the urgent need to increase the current MOT fee. This is following the Department for Transport communicating with the IGA their expectation to consult with stakeholders on this matter towards the latter part of 2025.
The IGA is arguing that since 2010, independent garages have incurred and continue to incur cost pressures over and above inflation relating to labour, rent, equipment, fuel, energy, compliance and administrative costs.
Whilst the DVSA has announced increases to MOT fees for busses, coaches, HGVs and trailers – the fees for class 4, 5 and 7 vehicles have not been included as part of these announcements.
Stuart James, CEO of the IGA, comments: “Our members are advising us that the current situation, relating to the stagnant MOT fee cap, is leading to garages setting up their facilities to prioritise more profitable work, reducing the number of bays available for MOT testing and therefore reducing the national capacity.
“We need to ensure that independent garages are able to prioritise the availability of workshop facilities and resources for this vital service. If the MOT does not remain economically viable for garages, this would have a significant impact on consumer choice with regards to accessibility, locality and convenience of available MOT test stations.”
For more information on The Test Centre click here.
