Plans to introduce biennial MOT testing in Northern Ireland, where there is a large backlog of tests required, will put lives at risk and undermine environmental aims, according to the Independent Garage Association.
The IGA has formally submitted its response to the Department of Infrastructure’s (DfI) 2025 consultation regarding the proposed introduction of biennial MOT testing (4-2-2) in Northern Ireland.
The consultation proposes moving to a two-year cycle, which the IGA argues could lead to a significant increase in unroadworthy and unsafe vehicles remaining in use.
The IGA response highlights concerns that more than 56,000 vehicles that would have failed an annual MOT may remain on the road under the proposed system, plus advances in vehicle technology, including complex safety systems in EVs and hybrids, require diligent attention and proactive governance, and that biennial testing could significantly delay the identification and repair of emissions system faults, conflicting with the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022.
Jonathan Douglass, director of the IGA, said: “Reducing the frequency of MOT testing is not just a policy decision, it’s a public safety risk. Data clearly shows that tens of thousands of vehicles would avoid essential inspections each year under the proposed system. That includes high-mileage company vehicles and electric cars, which are typically failing their first MOTs at a higher rate.
“A biennial MOT system would fail to catch these safety-critical issues in time, putting lives at risk and undermining environmental goals.”
Douglass concludes, “The IGA urges the DVA to uphold Northern Ireland’s strong road safety record and environmental commitments by rejecting the proposed move to biennial testing.
“A reduction in MOT frequency risks undermining decades of progress in keeping unsafe and environmentally harmful vehicles off the road.”
The IGA is calling for the DVA to prioritise public safety and environmental responsibility by maintaining the current MOT testing regime.