A Department of Transport spokeswoman said the test would be back in place in July provided Parliament approved new regulations before its summer recess. The Vehicle Inspectorate suspended the test, which only came into effect on January 1, after higher than expected levels of failures (Fleet News, February 16).

The VI blamed the manufacturers for supplying insufficient performance data to accurately calibrate the test for individual vehicles, but there was also speculation that the inspectorate had failed to take account of non-catalyst vehicles taking the test. The spokeswoman said consultation on the new regulations closed last week and any recommendations would be reviewed by ministers before the new criteria became law.

The correct data will then be circulated to MoT test stations and the emissions element of the test reinstated.