Two new surveys suggest that drivers do not support extending when the first MOT test is due from three years to four.

The new research from the AA and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reflects the findings of a Fleet News poll, but contradict a survey from Startline Used Car Tracker, which suggested that drivers were in favour of the change. 

Almost two-thirds of fleets said they would not support extending the first MOT from three years to four, in a Fleet News poll. 

In a Savanta poll of British car owners, commissioned by the SMMT, two-thirds (67%) of respondents also said they were concerned that extending the MOT would put lives in danger with three quarters agreeing that the typical £35-£45 cost of a test is a price worth paying for the peace of mind it provides that their car is safe and roadworthy.

Government proposals, published in January, include changing the frequency of the vehicle safety test and improving the monitoring of emissions to tackle pollution.

Ministers claim the changes are necessary because today’s vehicles are built better and are more resilient to wear and tear, particularly with electric vehicles (EVs) having fewer moving parts.

The Government says pushing the requirement for the first MOT back from three years to four would also save money.  

It estimates that the change would deliver a cumulative saving to owners of three-year-old cars worth between £91 and £117 million, based on 2.6 million first presentation tests.

For the average driver this would represent a saving of £35-£45 over the first three years’ ownership – or 23p-29p a week.

More than 300,000 vehicles fail their first MOT through failure to meet minimum safety requirements, with fails frequently associated with tyres, brakes, lights and suspension.

Mike Hawes, chief executive at the SMMT, said: “Safety is the number one priority for the automotive industry and the MOT is a crucial component in keeping the UK’s vehicles and roads safe.

“Our survey shows that drivers support the existing MOT frequency and that there is little appetite to change it, despite the increased cost of living.

“If changes to the MOT are to be made, these should enable testing of advanced electrified powertrains, driver assistance technologies and connected and automated features, as drivers value the peace of mind the MOT offers.”

In separate research from the AA, it found more than three-quarters of drivers (77%) do not wish to change the annual MOT.

The survey also found that more than nine out of 10 drivers (92%) say that an annual MOT plays a key role in keeping dangerous vehicles off the road.

Three-quarters (75%) of drivers said that the with the advancement of driver assistance and varying levels of autonomous technology being introduced on cars these too should form part of the annual test.

The AA’s submission to the Government consultation, which closes today (Wednesday, March 22), argues against changing the frequency of testing but supports modernising the requirements of the MOT.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “On safety grounds alone, it would be foolish to move away from an annual test and indeed moving the first MOT to four years as many cars show up with brake or tyre defects in that period.

“Modernising and future-proofing the MOT is a natural next step and will help give consumers confidence should they purchase an electric car, one with highly complex driver assistance packages or indeed a connected car.

“Similarly, a fifth (20%) of drivers believe it is worth investigating if MOTs can be carried out away from garages in an effort to help drivers stay on the road.

“In the future we believe that various aspects of the MOT could be carried out remotely using connected car technology.”

To have your say about changes to the date of the first MOT test and research into other MOT enhancements click here.