Fleet Owners Urged To Beat Autumn MOT Demand By Planning Ahead
Fleet owners are being urged to plan ahead when it comes to MOTs this autumn.
There’s set to be an increase in demand as we head into September, October, and November with around 10 million vehicles that are due for their annual MOT.
The figure is significantly higher than normal years due to a hangover from the MOT suspension the government put in place during the coronavirus pandemic.
As a result, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is warning drivers that leaving it until the last minute may increase the amount of time your vehicle is off the road as demand for MOTs is set to surge.
It’s probably worth having a quick check when your vehicles are due – if you don’t know already.
Why Is There An Increase In Demand For MOTs?
The extension to the suspension of MOT requirements ended in September 2020, which meant that the time of year for many vehicles to be tested changed.
As a result, autumn is now an incredibly busy period for garages conducting MOTs and there’s the possibility that demand might outstrip supply for a short period.
Given that more than 740,000 vehicles were registered for the first time between July-September 2019, there is likely to be around 250,000 (or more) heading for their first MOT this year… which only adds to the issue.
And pushing back the date isn’t an option – safety comes first. And legality, obviously.
MOT centres and garages are expected to be under significant pressure to cope with demand, so this is a friendly reminder to reach out and make sure that you’re all set with any vehicles due their annual MOT.
It’s always best to get on top of your vehicle admin – particularly when it comes to the safety of your drivers.
Plus, the prospect of a £1000 fine for driving a vehicle with a failed or invalid MOT should be more than enough to kick you into gear.
What’s The Current Plan With MOTs?
The DVLA is planning to create an app specifically for digital driving licences that will be ready to launch in 2024.
If everything runs smoothly, the plan will be to scrap full physical licences entirely and move to digital-only.
It’s not just licences that are set for changes, though. The government has stated that paper test certificates could be done away with, while MOTs need to be brought “into the modern age”.
The UK would be following the lead of South Korea, Mexico and Iceland, which have all adopted digital licences in recent years.
MOTs and driving tests are still conducted using elements of physical paperwork, with the Transport Secretary aiming to change that over the next few years.
Is your fleet all set for MOTs this year? Have you noticed an increased demand for MOTs and servicing in the past 12 months? Let us know in the comments below.
