Yesterday the Road Safety Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick, made a statement to announce that, after considering the evidence, the Department for Transport will not be changing the frequency of MOT testing. It looks like 4-2-2 is dead! (see statement below):

Written Ministerial Statement – 8 December 2008. 

MOT scheme evidence-base. 

The Minister for State, Department for Transport (Jim Fitzpatrick): I have today published an analysis of the costs and benefits of the MOT Scheme in response to a Davidson Review recommendation on the subject.

Our analysis suggests that a significant number of additional road traffic accidents would be likely if MOT test frequency was reduced. This is primarily because the annual MOT failure rate is already high (around 35%), and, if we were to reduce test frequency, there is a very real risk that the number of un-roadworthy cars would increase significantly. In turn, the number of road casualties would inevitably increase.

Clearly any significant increase in road traffic accidents or in the number of road casualties would be a wholly unacceptable outcome; and, for that reason, our view is that the MOT test frequency should remain unchanged.

“This is great news for all car users, not only will this maintain a good standard of vehicles on the road and help reduce safety related accidents”