Minimum MOT fee must increase, says IGA
The Independent Garage Association has added its voice to calls for the government to raise the minimum MOT fee.
MOT fees have remained unchanged for 16 years despite significant increases in costs due to rising labour rates and increased complexity of vehicles.
The IGA has now written to the Department for Transport and the Treasury to make the case for an urgent review of MOT fees, which have remained at £54.85 since 2010.
This comes just weeks after the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation called for a price hike, suggesting that the fee should be nearer £95 when taking inflation and other workshop costs into account.
The DVSA has announced that MOT fees for buses, coaches, HGVs and trailers will be raised but has not included fees for class 4, 5 and 7 vehicles in its announcement.
Capacity
Stuart James, CEO of the IGA, said: “Our members are advising us that the current situation, relating to the stagnant MOT fee cap, is leading to garages setting up their facilities to prioritise more profitable work, reducing the number of bays available for MOT testing and therefore reducing the national capacity.
“We need to ensure that independent garages are able to prioritise the availability of workshop facilities and resources for this vital service.
“If the MOT does not remain economically viable for garages, this would have a significant impact on consumer choice with regards to accessibility, locality and convenience of available MOT test stations.”
