The Department for Transport has provided new details in response to a consultation launched last year which would have changed the date of a vehicle's first MOT.
A consultation questioned whether the date of the first MOT for cars, vans and motorcycles should be changed from three years to four years, in addition to other reforms.
It has now been decided that the Government will not proceed with changing the date of a vehicle’s first MOT following concerns from road safety experts.
Every subsequent MOT will continue to be taken once every year, as the Government says drivers can continue on the roads with peace of mind.
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The Government has published its response to the MOT consultation launched last year
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Despite the Department for Transport rejecting calls to change the first MOT test for new vehicles, further investigations for other reforms will continue.
This includes how to better monitor diesel vehicle emissions through the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
It is believed the investigation will include whether testing should do more to ensure that diesel vehicles comply with emissions regulations.
Data from the AA suggests that an annual MOT can potentially save drivers between £200 and £400 each year by identifying issues with the car before they turn into larger problems with expensive repair costs.
Guy Opperman, Roads Minister, said: “We have listened to drivers and industry, and keeping MOTs in their current form shows once again that we are on the side of motorists.
“By offering clarity on MOT tests, alongside our recent street works consultation and unprecedented £8.3billion to resurface roads, we are helping motorists drive with peace of mind and ensuring Britain’s roads continue to be some of the safest in the world.”
The Department for Transport has confirmed that it will continue to work with stakeholders and key players in the industry to ensure the MOT test is modernised.
This is especially important with the development of electric vehicles and how technology continues to improve, requiring updates to the MOT.
The Government is now exploring a more effective test for diesel particulate emissions, whether improvements can be made for EV tests and the transfer of some zero emission vans to more standard, car-style MOT testing.
Neil Barlow, Head of Vehicle Policy at DVSA, said: “Ensuring the MOT remains fit for the future is a key part of DVSA’s work and getting ready for new technology will help keep Britain’s roads safe.
“We hope, this positive news will provide some certainty for garages to enable the investment in new technologies that could be needed to keep the MOT at the forefront of road safety and the environment.”
Transport Secretary Mark Harper has pledged to make motoring easier for Britons thanks to new measures in the “Plan for Drivers”, including improving the state of roads to minimise the damage done to vehicles before their MOT test.
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The Government will work with the industry to develop new plans for diesel emissions tests
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Research from the AA shows that drivers overwhelmingly supported the annual MOT, with the motoring company backing the Government in the decision to keep rules the same.
Jakob Pfaudler, CEO of AA, said the organisation “fully supports the Government’s pragmatic decision”.