With many in the UK on COVID-19 lockdown, motorists will question whether getting an MOT test counts as an “essential” reason to leave their home. The government has already issued advice that “lorries, buses and trailers” needing an MOT in the next three months will receive an automatic exemption, barring a few exceptional cases.
However, the Department for Transport is currently keeping MOT testing for cars, motorcycles and light vans under review. Therefore motorists must stick to their MOT schedule. [UPDATE (25/03/2020): the government has announced that cars, motorcycles and vans will receive an exemption from Monday 30 March 2020.]
Motor industry associations have called on the government to introduce a moratorium for passenger vehicle MOTs. The National Franchised Dealers Association, which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers in the UK, wrote: “At a time when many vehicle owners are going to be ill, in quarantine or social distancing, NFDA does not think it is reasonable to require them to venture out to get their vehicles MOT-tested.”
