The current consultation on plans to change the MOT test has been extended after the motortrade lobbied the Department for Transport (DfT).

The deadline has shifted from February 28, which would have given the motor industry just six weeks to complete its responses, to March 22.

In January the DfT launched the consultation on potential changes to the MOT requirements, such as changing the point at which the first MOT for a light vehicle is required from three years since registration, the current point, to four years or even five.

Four years is the DfT's preference, and its consultation paper highlighted the cost to the UK of the first MOT, its low failure rate as vehicle quality has improved since the 1960s, and the forecast impact on serious road casualty rates would be minimal.

DfT also wants to hear suggestions for changes to what is included in the MOT test.

After pressure from the industry, the DfT has now said the MOT consultation will now not close until 11.45pm on March 22.

Stuart James, chief executive of the Independent Garage Association (IGA), said: “After seeing the incredible support for our campaign, and meeting with the DfT and DVSA in conjunction with the Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA), I am delighted that our collective concerns have been listened to.

“The initial six-week consultation period was far too short to thoroughly consider the impact that the many complex topics covered within could have on road safety."

He said that allowing a further four weeks to the consultation period will enable stakeholders time to appropriately consider and respond to the extensive detail contained within the consultation documents.

He continued: “While this is good news, we will not relax our efforts to ensure that public are protected from the proposed move to a 4-1-1 MOT frequency and will continue to work with the DfT throughout the consultation period and beyond.

“I encourage everyone to respond to the MOT consultation with their views and sign the automotive trade bodies’ petition to stop the 4-1-1 MOT.”

The consultation also seeks views on the frequency of MOTs and how to improve monitoring of emissions to tackle pollution to bolster the environmental efficiency of vehicles.

Potential new measures include introducing testing of pollutants such as particulate number (PN) and NOx to ensure diesel, petrol and hybrid cars always meet emissions requirements throughout their lifespan.

Among the proposals, the consultation will consider whether electric vehicles’ batteries should be tested to improve the safety and reliability of EVs, if additional measures should be introduced to tackle excessively loud engines, and how the DVSA can continue to crack down against MOT and mileage fraud.

To have your say about changes to the date of the first MOT test and research into other MOT enhancements click here. 

The consultation closes on March 22 at 11.45pm.

Sue Robinson, chief executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association, said: “NFDA is pleased that its efforts to extend the consultation period, through discussions with DVSA and writing directly to DfT officials have been successful.

"The extension to the consultation period allows the NFDA to have more time to discuss with our members and European counterparts to obtain insight and knowledge regarding their MOT testing policies, cross referencing this with ours and building on our evidence to counteract these proposed changes from government."

Proposals to change the MOT test were last revealed in 2017, when the industry was asked whether MOTs should be every two years after the first test being in the fourth year.