UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has suggested that annual MOT checks may be scrapped and instead carried out every two years.
The move is an attempt to ease the cost of living for households across the nation amid soaring fuel and energy prices.
As reported by the Daily Express, Boris Johnson is seeking "innovative ways" to help ease the burden of the cost living crisis, with proposals being forwarded to the UK Government's domestic and economic strategy committee.
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Each vehicle that is at least three years old must have an up-to-date MOT certificate, which needs to be renewed by motorists once per year.
An MOT for a car can cost up to £54.85, while the maximum MOT test cost for a standard motorcycle is £29.65.
According to the BBC, Shapps intends to look into the possibility of lengthening renewal times in an effort to ease costs for motorists.
However, many have argued that this rule change would save drivers just £27.43 per year, and may have other consequences.
Head of roads policy at the AA Jack Cousens said motorists would ultimately suffer if the change is brought into effect, particularly if they need repairs.
He stated: “Though well intended, moving the yearly £55 spend on an MOT to every two years could make costs worse for drivers with higher repair bills, make our roads more dangerous and would put jobs in the garage industry at risk.
“Only recently the Government stepped away from switching the MOT to every two years on the grounds of road safety.
“While AA polling shows overwhelming support from drivers who like the security that an annual health check provides."
He continued: “The MOT now highlights major and dangerous defects too, showing how important it is to keep cars in a safe condition.
“Rather than fiddling at the edges, drivers would rather see pump price transparency to revive competition on the forecourts or expanding Park and Ride schemes so drivers can avoid higher inner-city driving costs.”
According to Downing Street, the committee would convene "in the coming weeks to finalise the proposals".
Boris Johnson's official spokesperson stated that Chancellor Rishi Sunak "underlined the importance" of not fuelling further inflation during the cabinet meeting, and that departmental budgets "are set" with no plans to currently go beyond these limits.
Responding to the proposals, leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Ed Davey stated that they indicated that Johnson was “completely out of ideas during the most profound crisis in decades”.
It follows the news that Labour has warned of a £10 billion increase in annual petrol and diesel prices, with "soaring" costs hitting households hard.
Labour's shadow secretary of state for transport Louise Haigh stated: “Labour's plan would help households through this crisis with up to £600 cut off energy bills, funded by a one-off windfall tax on the booming profits of oil and gas producers.”
In 2021, the Government in Northern Ireland put forth proposals to alter the rules regarding MOT tests so that they would only be required every two years.
Minister Nichola Mallon said there was “clear support” for the move, and more than 1,200 responses were gathered through a Call for Evidence — with 80% of drivers agreeing that MOT tests should be done on a biennial basis.
