Consultation outcome: Changes to the date of the first MOT test and research into other MOT enhancements

Published: 25 January 2024
By Chris Haycock

Date of the first MOT test: consultation response PDF, 332 KB, 30 pages

The Department for Transport consulted about amending the date of the first MOT for cars, vans and motorcycles from 3 to 4 years, as well as areas that could be considered for reform in the future. 

Given the significant concerns about road safety that were raised, and that any potential savings made by motorists would be limited by the additional cost of potential defects not identified at the MOT, the government does not intend to proceed in changing the date of a vehicle’s first MOT.

There was support for an improved diesel emissions test and we will consider the results of a recent Driver Vehicle Standards Agency trial before deciding how to proceed. We have also identified 5 priority areas for future reform including electric vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems.

We received more than 4,400 responses to the combined consultation and call for evidence about reforms to MOT testing.

We are seeking views on whether the first date for a MOT test should be changed.

We are keen to understand:

• when people think the first date should be
• how making a change to this date will affect businesses
• whether we should introduce any other changes to MOT testing

We will use this evidence to inform updates to policy, guidance, best practice and other policy tools across government.