A new consultation could change the price of MOT tests for certain vehicle owners in a move that could see drivers pay more for the service.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has launched a consultation that would increase how much MOT centres can charge customers to use their facilities.
The proposals put forward would impact owners of heavy goods vehicles, buses, coaches and trailers.
Any change in price to the service provided at authorised testing facilities (ATFs) for the first time since 2010.
ATFs are privately-owned sites approved by the DVSA that deal with larger vehicles and can charge a service fee to other companies for using the testing facilities.
They can also host tests for their own vehicles, with the DVSA providing vehicle standards assessors to carry out the tests, with site owners providing the premises and equipment.
A staggering 99.88 per cent of MOT tests for HGVs, trailers, buses and coaches take place at ATFs, rather than Government-owned testing facilities.
The DVSA is proposing that a move to increase the maximum service charge can help ATFs cover rising costs, allow them to plan for future testing and keep the testing network sustainable.
New MOT test prices could be introduced in the near future following a consultation
| GETTYThe consultation suggests that raising the maximum HGV test service charge by £15 is "appropriate".
This would represent a maximum nine per cent increase in overall costs for vehicle operators if ATFs charge the full amount.
It notes that the £15 increase is less than inflation over the same period, which would have seen prices soar by around £30.
The current maximum service charge for an HGV is £55 and would move to £70, in addition to the average statutory test fee of £114.
Trailers would see costs rise from £40 to £50 (11 per cent), and buses and coaches could see a rise from £70 to £90 (11 per cent).
The MOT consultation would impact HGVs, trailers, buses and coaches
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The consultation highlights that not all authorised testing facilities charge the full amount, while some do not charge a service charge at all.
Trade associations and ATFs have reported to the DVSA that their costs have increased in recent years, prompting calls for prices to change.
This includes increased running costs from utilities, rent and salaries, as well as the need to update equipment regularly to ensure modern vehicles are safe.
Drivers have until Friday, November 21, at 11.59pm, to respond and give their feedback to the consultation.
The price of a standard car MOT test will not change
| PAIn 2021, the DVSA launched a similar consultation to change the cost of DVSA service, including theory tests, driving tests and MOT tests.
It proposed an increase of around 1.5 per cent for many DVSA services, and received more than 2,500 responses.
The main changes to MOT fees included adding three pence to the cost of slot fees paid by MOT centres for each test they carry out, and slight price increases for HGVs, buses and coach tests.
The DVSA acknowledged that many of the responses to the original consultation were connected to MOT garages, and many wanted to see a rise in the maximum fee they were allowed to charge for an MOT.