The new Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd is being urged to do more to tackle the long waiting times motorists are still facing for an available MOT appointment.
The Driver and Vehicle Agency says it is still experiencing "significant demand" for vehicle testing services as MOT centres across Northern Ireland continue to tackle a backlog in appointments.
MOT tests have been suspended several times over the past two years, leaving many drivers facing long waits for appointments. In some cases, drivers have been unable to get their vehicles tested before their current MOT certificate expires.
Read more: MOT Northern Ireland: DVA continuing to experience 'significant demand' for tests
Cars are due their first MOT after four years. MOT tests for cars and light vehicles were first suspended in January 2020 after concerns over lift equipment.
Cracks in vehicle lifts were first detected the previous November but the problem rapidly escalated in January when all Northern Ireland MOT tests - of which there are usually around 1,500 per day - were suspended after cracks were found in 52 of the 55 vehicle lifts in the 15 test centres across the region.
Testing of HGVs, buses and motorcycles were unaffected by the disruption while owners of cars and light vehicles that were five years old or more were eligible for a temporary exemption certificate.
Younger cars and taxis were prioritised for tests that were carried out in the heavy vehicle lanes in MOT test centres.
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) later confirmed it was spending £1.8m on the installation of 52 new lifts for MoT centres, work which was completed in October 2020.
The arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020 again put the brakes on tests.
MOT vehicle tests resumed three months later but with social distancing restrictions, which were only eased last July.
Alliance Party MLA and Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir has said it's a “complete shambles” that people are having to wait months for an available MOT appointment.
The North Down MLA said he was still being contacted regularly by those struggling to get an MOT before their certificate expires, with many having to wait up to five months for an available test.
Earlier this year, the previous Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon stated that her Department would consider extending the reminder letter notification period for those awaiting their MOTs, however, Mr Muir says no action has followed.
“Each week I am contacted by individuals who are struggling to obtain an appointment for their MOT, being forced to travel miles upon miles to a test centre not local to them or being left unable to drive as their insurance provider won’t cover them without a valid MOT,” said Mr Muir.
“This is not a new problem. We have seen these problems occurring since the test centres reopened following the first lockdown back in 2020 and it is incredibly frustrating more is not being done by the Minister to tackle the issue.
“This is now a complete shambles. I will continue to press the issue with the Minister and request he acts to extend the reminder letter notification period for those awaiting their MOTs.
“It is hoped this will give drivers ample time to book their tests and, together with a concerted plan to ensure test centres are fully resourced, play a significant role in alleviating this problem.”
In response, a DfI spokesperson said: “The DVA’s advice to vehicle owners who require an MOT to tax their vehicle and cannot secure a date before their MOT expires is to book the earliest available appointment and keep checking the booking system for an earlier appointment.
“If they get to within five days of the expiry date of their vehicle tax and they have been unable to secure an appointment or their vehicle tax has expired, they should contact the DVA Customer Services team at dva.customerservices@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk and they will do their best to get an urgent appointment for the vehicle.
“To date, all customers who have contacted the DVA in these circumstances have been offered an earlier appointment.
“Vehicle Excise Duty (Motor Tax) is an excepted matter and is administered and enforced by the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in Swansea on behalf of HM Treasury. The Department has no authority or influence with the DVLA on these matters.”
They added: “The DVA has steadily increased its vehicle testing capacity to pre- Covid levels by adopting a range of measures including the recruitment of additional vehicle examiners, the use of overtime to provide cover for leave and by offering vehicle test appointments on a Sunday and bank holidays, when testing is not normally available.
“The DVA continues to experience significant demand for vehicle testing services and in some cases customers may not be able to have their vehicles tested before their current MOT certificate expires.
“In such cases, customers must book the earliest available test appointment for their vehicle, which may mean travelling to another test centre instead of their preferred location.
“The DVA releases vehicle test appointments on a daily basis and customers are encouraged to regularly check the booking system as they may be able to change their existing appointment to a different test centre and time if a slot becomes available.
“The DVA does not currently hold information to enable it to accurately report the average waiting times for vehicle tests, given that this position changes on a regular basis.
“The Department would remind owners and drivers of all vehicles that they are responsible under the law for the roadworthiness of their vehicle at all times.
“Motorists should continue to service their vehicle and carry out basic checks such as looking out for brake wear, ensuring that all lights are working and regularly checking their tyre pressure and tread depth.”
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