As well as announcing the decision to scrap any change in the 3-1-1 interval for MOT inspections, Transport Secretary Justine Greening also outlined a range of measures to improve standards and confidence in the test.

“I want to go further and make it easier for consumers to take action if they have not received the service they need from MOT testers. Further short term steps I am therefore taking are to:

Engage the key motoring organisations in surveying their members over the next few months to determine the most significant and frequent problems they encounter at garages, how transparent and consistent charging and service standards are and what examples of best practice customer service they have experienced – and to publish their results.

Identify and work with organisations able to carry out mystery shopper exercises that could supplement those which VOSA already carry out as part of their targeted supervision of the scheme.

Work with the Motorists’ Forum to establish a sub-group to bring together a broad range of relevant motoring and industry organisations, such as the MOT Trade Forum, to help deliver the package that follows;

Over the next six months my Department will carry out the following actions:

So that consumers can be confident that the garage they choose has signed up to deliver to the highest standards, we will work with the industry and stakeholders to encourage much wider adoption of existing Codes (such as that provided through the SMMT and Motor Codes Ltd) and to develop those Codes to include MOT testing services.  Our ambition is that it should be the norm for garages to comply with such Codes.

In order to make more information available to help motorists know how the scheme is supervised, which garages perform well and which less well, we will review the MOT data gathered by VOSA and – informed by the surveys above – further improve transparency.

We will also work with industry, motoring organisations and others to make it easier for consumers to give feedback on their experiences of garages in a transparent way that others can view, and to boost awareness of existing consumer feedback tools.

We will help motorists to spot clocked vehicles by arranging for MOT test certificates to show mileage information for the last three years, and encouraging car buyers to check the full MOT history of vehicles by accessing online the authoritative MOT database.

To help motorists know how long wear and tear items such as brakes and tyres are likely to last after an MOT test, we will work with the MOT trade initially to consider whether to adjust the MOT technical test standard.

I see the above package of measures as an important element in our overall road safety policy, alongside delivering increased confidence and value for money for motorists having their vehicles MOT tested or serviced. I expect more ideas and measures to develop once the Motorists’ Forum subgroup is established, and there will be opportunities for all interested parties to contribute to the debate.”

Brian Spratt, chief executive of the IAAF, said: “This is a victory for common sense. I am sure the efforts put in by IAAF members who have been contacting their MPs, arranging site visits, and signing up on the IAAF’s ePetition on the government’s website, have all helped carry the argument to this successful conclusion. I thank all of them for their support.

“We have always held the view that none of the current codes directly regulate the quality of the repair made by a garage, they are primarily ‘customer friendly’ codes.  All welcome in their way, but the ATA accreditation of technicians who are working on the vehicles has a more direct affect on the effectiveness of the garage in servicing cars.”

Alec Murray, RMI chairman, said: “It is positive that after much speculation that MoT frequency will not feature in the review. The RMI have always been against any change to MoT frequency on the grounds that it is unnecessary and poses considerable safety issues.

“By retaining the current system the Government has cut the risk of the additional road deaths and injuries that would have potentially occurred with a move to less frequent testing.

“The RMI along with other trade bodies have been engaged with the DfT for some time on the wider issues around the current test and continue to view the review as a positive step. There are many areas of the MoT that could be improved and we have been in discussions with the DfT to air our views on what positive changes could be made.

“We will continue to work with Government throughout the review to ensure the interests of our members and consumers are best represented.”

Bill Duffy, co-ordinator of the Pro-MOTe campaign and CEO of Halford Autocentres said: “Reducing the frequency of MOTs would have been dangerous, expensive and unwanted, and we welcome the Government’s sensible decision today to drop the idea. Ministers

“The proposal to reduce MOT frequency was opposed by organisations across the board, from industry to road safety campaigners to insurance companies and others.  Their support for Pro-MOTe and its objective was a major factor in persuading Ministers that the maintenance of annual MOTs was the right way forward.

“We look forward to working with Government on how to make the MOT test better and to ensure consumers receive the best customer service.”

Steve Fulford, chairman of The Parts Alliance said: “We would like to thank everyone involved in the campaign and especially Bill Duffy for his tireless commitment .”

Paul Everitt, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said: “Industry welcomes the decision by government to retain the existing MOT test regime, supporting the need to keep road safety a top priority.

“Government will encourage garages to take up industry codes of practice to ensure a consistent and high quality approach to testing, thereby building consumer confidence and satisfaction.

“Industry will continue to work with the OFT-backed consumer protection scheme, Motor Codes, to play its part in improving standards across the service and repair sector.”

Bob Sockl, chief executive of FIMI, said: “Didn’t we do well? Six months ago, I would have put money on a silly result, but Justine Greening seems to have come to a sensible conclusion, no doubt influenced by Mike Penning.

“Now we can get on with having a good year for your business. Congratulations all round.”

Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive of road safety charity Brake, said: “This is very welcome news from the Transport Secretary. The annual MOT is vital to road safety, and the government has recognised that; reducing its frequency would have inevitably meant more lives needlessly lost and more terrible injuries. As a charity that supports people who have been bereaved or injured on roads, we know only too well the appalling devastation that results from poor vehicle maintenance.”

Edmund King, president of the AA, said: “The AA is delighted that the Transport Secretary has listened to the views of AA members who support the annual frequency of the MOT test.  We also welcome the decision to include mileage information on MOT certificates, which will help people buying used cars understand their history.

“There are other ways the MOT can be improved and we will be polling our members to seek their views on making the test more relevant to today’s motoring.”