An essential MOT fee increase is required immediately to keep test stations/garages viable, according to Broadstairs MOT Centre Director Simon Hooper.
As an MOT tester himself, and garage owner, the pressure to keep investing in MOT connected equipment and carrying out required calibration, combined with increased wages and a skills shortage for the industry is making for a perfect storm for consumers and a lack of test slots, increasing the risk of more dangerous vehicles on the roads.
The stagnant £54.85 fee, introduced in 2010, does not meet the basic requirements of business viability when garage hourly rates are, commonly, in excess of £90 per hour, meaning garages lose approx £35 per hour, or more, when conducting MOTs.
The introduction of photos being taken and uploaded has added additional costs for test stations to invest in devices that mean staff do not use their own phones – which Mr Hooper said is “unacceptable”.
“There is no reason why staff should be forced to use their own phones. This in itself poses a significant distraction of notifications, messages and alerts to the technician,” he said. “We have gone from requiring a separate office, specific desk layouts and equipment and regulations to allowing a handheld personal device to distract the technician.
“Combine this with additional investment in ramps, calibration, test slot fees, increased wages and business rates etc, it makes no financial sense to offer MOTs. As a business our standard hourly rate is £99 plus vat per hour. We therefore have a technician working for £44.15 less per hour when conducting MOTs. For this reason we have reduced the number of test slots we offer. The pressure is intense within this industry to invest in training, staff development, equipment and calibration and insurances and so on. Recruitment is at an all-time low too.
“How many more meetings need to be held between the IGA, DVSA and DfT before a logical, business decision is made and implemented? We have engaged with numerous surveys and feedback over the past few years and successive administrations kick the stone down the road with this.
“ It is insulting the Government does not value our workforce nor the industry and fails to recognise that imposing further tasks, equipment requirements and increased wages whilst keeping the test fee at a price set in 2010 is causing a long term issue. It smacks of complete ignorance to the long-term impact on the industry and dangerous vehicles on our roads. We have a chronic skills shortage with fewer MOT Testers, skilled technicians and apprentices year-on-year. Garages are closing, techs are retiring and new commercial developments do not permit automotive use so new garages are unable to operate. This Government really needs to act on this.”
Mr Hooper commented following another meeting between The Independent Garage Association (IGA) with officials from the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to press the case for an increase in the MOT fee cap.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the IGA to present the growing concerns of the sector directly to Government and highlight the urgent need for reform to ensure the long-term sustainability of MOT testing.
The IGA warned that continued inaction risks making MOT testing increasingly unviable for many garages. With businesses already facing substantial increases in wages, energy costs, equipment investment and compliance requirements, the current MOT fee no longer reflects the true cost of delivering the service.
According to the IGA, the issue is already having a significant impact on the sector, with many garages questioning how long they can continue to offer MOT appointments at current rates. The IGA also highlighted that, based on the Government’s own inflation projections, the equivalent MOT fee would rise to £120.64 by 2029.
Stuart James, Chief Executive of the Independent Garage Association, said:
“The response we have received from both members and non-members has been overwhelming and demonstrates just how strongly the sector feels about this issue.
We are extremely grateful to everyone who has shared information and evidence of the challenges they face. Their experiences have helped us present a clear and compelling case to Government.
The reality is that this issue can no longer be kicked down the road. Garages cannot continue absorbing rising costs indefinitely while the MOT fee remains frozen. We made that point very clearly during our discussions and will continue to press for action.
The IGA is unrelenting in its pursuit of a fair and sustainable increase to the MOT fee, and we will not stop until meaningful progress is made.”
The IGA also warned that, without a significant increase in the MOT fee, garages may have little choice but to prioritise more profitable repair and servicing work in order to cover rising overheads. Should that happen, the availability of MOT appointments could reduce, making it increasingly difficult for motorists to secure a test when they need one.
The IGA believes a sustainable MOT fee is essential to maintaining a testing network capable of supporting motorists as vehicle technology continues to evolve. Without appropriate investment and a fee structure that reflects the cost of delivery, the future resilience of the MOT scheme could be placed at risk.
The IGA also emphasised the vital role MOT testing plays in protecting road users. Last year alone, 2.55 million MOT tests identified at least one dangerous defect, underlining the importance of ensuring garages can continue to deliver the service effectively and sustainably.
The IGA is now seeking a meeting with the Transport Minister responsible for the MOT regime to discuss potential solutions and bring about a long-overdue resolution to the issue.