The Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA) has slammed proposals backed by Chancellor Gordon Brown’s Treasury to lengthen the time between MoT Tests to two years rather than annually.

In addition the Government plan the first test to be needed after four years rather than the current three.

Douglas Robertson, chief executive of the SMTA, said: “We believe the Cabinet’s plans to be utter folly. Any dream they have of vote-catching by saving motorists £465 million per annum will be more than lost through increased insurance premiums as more crashes occur.

Almost 30% of vehicles already fail the test, can you imagine the potential carnage if this is extended to four years?

“The potential is that if testing is left to every second year, half the vehicles on our roads at any one time may not be roadworthy. There can, in our opinion, be little doubt that these proposals could cost lives and we do not think any Government should be contemplating such a risk.”

Head to the AM Forum to discuss your opinions on the lengthening of time between MoT Tests.