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.”

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.”

“Maintaining vehicle road worthiness and servicing is one of the most important costs of running a car for most motorists.

I am today announcing the Government’s intention to work with industry and motoring organisations to improve the motorist’s confidence and experience when they have to take their car, motorcycle or other private vehicle to a garage.

Motorists are generally not experts in the mechanics, electronics or component parts of their vehicles — what matters to them is that the vehicle is safe to be on the road, that they are paying a reasonable price and that what they are paying for is necessary work carried out to a good standard.

Motorists want reliable servicing and MOTs from garages they trust and it is in the interests of reputable garages to deliver to a high quality.

Almost every motorist has to visit a garage or other authorised testing station at least once a year for their vehicle to undergo an MOT test — and for many people, that minimum statutory spot check of a vehicle’s roadworthiness is either combined with an annual service or leads to repairs and further work.

Each year in Great Britain some 35 million MOTs take place at some 21,000 authorised premises — the annual cost to motorists of the test alone is in the region of £1 .5 billion. The UK car service and repair sector is worth around £9 billion per year to the GB economy.

The garage sector is regulated in several ways. The sector has to comply with business laws and consumer protection legislation. The MOT scheme is regulated by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) of the Department for Transport.

Self-regulation has an important role to play also. For example, around 6500 garages self-regulate their customer service through the Motor Codes Ltd Code on Service and Repair which has full approval status under the OFT Approved Codes System. And nearly 1000 garages have been accredited with the BSI Kitemark scheme for automotive services.

The package of measures I am announcing today does not duplicate these existing controls and arrangements. But they will add value for the motorist and enhance their experience when having to deal with garages whether for an MOT test or more generally.

I am taking two immediate steps today. Firstly, having listened closely to the very many views put forward and considered the available evidence, I have decided that I am not going to carry out further work in relation to relaxing the first test date or the frequency of testing.

Secondly, I am publishing for the first time today information gathered by VOSA about the standards of MOT testing. VOSA’s MOT compliance survey 2010/11 showed that, despite large parts of the MOT test being subjective, 88% of testers were applying correct and consistent standards. There were 12% of testers who had their overall assessment of the vehicle’s roadworthiness challenged by VOSA, suggesting there is still room for improvement. Publication of this data represents a considerable increase in transparency on the accuracy of MOT tests.”

Government proposals to extend MOT test intervals from the current system of 3-1-1 have been scrapped in favour of a drive to improve standards with codes of conduct and additional mystery shopping.

Previously unpublished figures from VOSA show that 27.7% of cars tested in 2010-2011 had defects missed by MOT stations, and are key to the decision to stick with the 3-1-1 system. The data also shows that one in eight cars were incorrectly assessed by MOT stations in 2010-2011.

Transport Secretary Justine Greening said the focus instead would be to work with industry, motoring organisations and consumer groups to focus on the reliability and standards of garages. It also wants to provide a user-generated review system of MOT stations.

“Our garages are crucial to ensuring that Britain’s roads continue to be among the safest in the world. Most are doing good work but the latest data shows that there is room for improvement,” said Greening.

“I want each motorist to be confident that a visit to the garage ends with their car repaired to a high standard by reputable mechanics rather than uncertainty about cost and the quality of service.

“Giving drivers the very best information about garage performance is absolutely key to achieving this goal. It means that responsible garages will be well placed to reap the commercial benefits of transparency. Garages where performance is not up to scratch will find themselves under pressure to do more for their customers.”

HiQ Frome manager Chris Davison accepted the award

HiQ is celebrating after gaining its 100th fully ATA accredited technician.

The fast fit chain congratulated Matt Robinson from HiQ Frome at the national franchise conference. He accepted the award from fast fit manager Stuart Carr.

HiQ started encouraging its technicians to undertake ATA training through its HiQ Academy in 2010, aiming to boost customer confidence at its 150 centres.

Technician Matt Robinson said: “I am really pleased to have passed this qualification and be acknowledged for my skills in the job.

“You don’t realise how much you know until you’re put to the test so it’s great to have the official recognition and be listed on the ATA website.”

Stuart Carr said that HiQ is well on track to have every technician within its network ATA accredited by the end of 2012: “This is a fantastic achievement for HiQ and one that shows our continued investment in training and professional development.

“Through HiQ Academy, our aim has always been to reassure customers that they are receiving the best technical and professional service, whichever centre they visit.”

Ring expects an increase in bulb sales

Ring automotive is warning workshops and retailers to gear up for extra bulb sales.

The lighting manufacturer warns that as winter nights draw in, garages could be inundated with customers wanting their car lights checked. Inevitably that could result in a large demand for replacement bulbs.

Ring is also warning motorists to get their headlights checked. It says that inadequate lighting is incredibly dangerous on dark roads. Ring is also pushing for workshops to make checking vehicle lights part of every job during the winter months.

To help technicians trying to get customers to “see the light” (sorry) Ring has also produced two A2 size posters detailing the benefits of upgraded bulbs.

Ring says letting customers know the benefits of better lighting could help garages make better profits this winter.

Both posters are free for all garages, and are available from local factors.

Automotive industry charity BEN has teamed up with Snap-on tools to launch a competition to win a tool box signed by Jenson Button.

The top of the range liveried Snap-on chest could be yours by answering a none-too-challenging question by text.

BEN is the official charity of which industry?

A: Automotive

B: Hotel and leisure

C: Entertaiment

Text BEN and your answer of A, B or C to 70099 before midnight on November 30 and you could win the signed prize.

You will be charged £1 plus your standard network rate of which BEN will receive a minimum of 99p (or 96p from O2 phones).

Head of marketing for BEN Ray Diggins said: “The response we have received so far has been outstanding. We would like to say thank you to Snap-on for kindly donating a fantastic prize and to F1’s Jenson Button for taking the time to add his signature.”

Snap-on has been promoting the work of BEN which offers practical and financial help to those who work, or have worked, in the automative industry, as well as their families.

It says the feedback from its promotional work is very encouraging and believes more garages than ever now recognise the help that BEN can offer their businesses.

Nationwide Accident Repair Services is celebrating opening the doors of its latest branch in Redruth, Cornwall.

The Fast Fit Plus centre is the third in a chain of wholly owned garages operated by Nationwide. The company says the search for third site began following two successful pilot garages in Kettering and Leicester.

The Nationwide Fast Fit Plus garages offer tyres, MOTs, servicing and all of the traditional fast fit options motorists have come to expect, plus body and glass repairs.

The Redruth branch, as with the existing two garages, is attached alongside a Nationwide Repair Centre branch with renewed branding and signage.

Nationwide is hoping its £200,000 pound investment in the new site on the Pool Industrial Estate in Redruth will pay off in local business. Indeed, the company already reports it has attracted fleet and retail customers in the local area.

Nationwide territory manager for Devon and Cornwall Colin Bater said: “Redruth is the most southerly Nationwide Repair Centre in the UK and is a tremendously successful branch for the organisation, with steady growth and consistently excellent customer care feedback.

“The business already has a loyal customer base in the area, including many local businesses, and it is ideally placed to attract passing traffic so it made sense to give the site a more obvious retail appeal and broader offering.”

The RMI is backing the proMOTe campaign

The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) has put its support behind the proMOTe campaign against changes to the MoT test schedule.

The industry body says that 25 organisations have joined together to oppose any change to the MoT test schedule. Those organisations represent motorists, cyclists, small businesses, and insurers.

RMI director Stuart James said: “Record levels of cars and vans are failing their MoTs. Maintenance standards are slipping due to the lack of money car users currently have at their disposal.

“If the annual MoT was to change system road user safety would be detrimentally affected. Evidence shows that more than 250 additional road deaths and more than 2,200 additional serious injuries could occur every year if the frequency change was to go ahead.

“The RMI backs the ProMOTe campaign because it is taking the message to the consumer and defends road user safety.”

The RMI says it will continue to take a leading role in the fight against MoT changes. It also says it will continue to lobby the Government on the matter.

Snap on tools is celebrating the 500th sale of its Verdict hand-held diagnostics unit.

The 500th (and 501st) sales of the units went to Richard Restarik from Brandon Test Centre in Suffolk.

Snap on says that its Verdict unit is a new concept for diagnostics, utilising a touch screen with three component parts – a display unit, scan module and component test meter.

The unit is based around a Windows operating system, and features a 7″ touch screen that has all the usual functions expected from a modern diagnostics tool.

Restarik said: “I am delighted to be the 500^th UK purchaser. he mobility that Verdict’s wireless capability allows is a major plus and I am able to operate remotely without even having to get in to a vehicle when I am testing.”