The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has called for an increase to the MOT fee that workshops are allowed to charge.
Meeting with government officials from the in the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and the Department for Transport (DfT), the IGA made the case that the current cap of £54.85, which has been in place since 2010, is unsustainable for workshops.
“The outdated MOT fee cap is placing financial strain on garages,” said IGA chief Stuart James.
The organisation highlighted the sharp increase in costs for independents over the past 15 years, as well as the financial impact of the changes made to business rates in chancellor Rachel Reeves’ autumn budget.
It said that the rise in such costs forces garages to prioritise the most profitable services, meaning MOTs risk falling by the wayside.
James said: “If the Government does not act swiftly, providing a solution that protects the MOT credibility while still keeping MOT tests a viable service for garages, we risk a decline in MOT service availability, which could lead to more unroadworthy vehicles on UK roads.”
In addition to calling for a rise in the cost cap, the IGA said additional funding is needed for training new and existing MOT testers. It said this is needed due to a shortage of testers, as well as to support the transition to electric vehicles.
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