“In its response to the Department for Infrastructure’s consultation, NFDA-NI firmly opposes proposals to change MOT testing in Northern Ireland to a biennial schedule, warning it would compromise road safety” said Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) . NFDA-NI has submitted its response to the Department for Infrastructure’s (DfI) consultation seeking views on changing the frequency of MOT testing in Northern Ireland (NI) from one year to two years (Biennial) for some private cars, motorcycles and light goods vehicles. Launched on 22 January 2025, the consultation has been running for 12 weeks and will close today at 11:59pm [1]. Under current regulations in NI, private cars and motorcycles are first MOT tested at 4 years old and light goods vehicles under 3,500kg are first tested at 3 years old. These requirements will remain unchanged, regardless of the outcome of the consultation. This consultation is being held against the backdrop of a long-running MOT crisis in the region. The current testing regime has faced significant challenges in recovering from COVID-19-related disruptions, which worsened pre-existing backlogs. These issues were further intensified by the widespread discovery of faulty vehicle lift equipment in late 2019, prompting the suspension of MOT tests across most centres. As part of its consultation submission, NFDA-NI set out a range of concerns underpinning its opposition to biennial MOT testing: Safety – tragically, 2023 recorded the highest number of annual road fatalities in Northern Ireland, with 71 lives lost, followed by 68 deaths in 2024 [2]. Routine annual MOT testing plays a crucial role in detecting and correcting potentially hazardous vehicle faults, helping to uphold road safety. Capacity issues – The primary issue holding back fixing the MOT backlog stems from capacity and recruitment as well as retention of staff. The ongoing delays in the opening of the Hydebank and Mallusk MOT centres have only added to the frustration. UK safety record – The UK’s strong vehicle safety record in Europe could be undermined by a shift to biennial testing. After a consultation, the UK government, last year, decided not to delay a vehicle’s first MOT from 3 to 4 years, due to significant road safety concerns raised [3]. NFDA-NI has also highlighted the negative financial impact of the MOT crisis, and its adverse impact on businesses including the region’s car dealer network. NFDA-NI believes that dealerships can play a key role in easing the strain on the current MOT system. Robinson added , “NFDA-NI has consistently raised concerns about the MOT challenges in the region, regularly pointing out areas that need improvement, engaging with officials from the Driver and Vehicle Agency, as well as raising the issue with the former Infrastructure Minister, John O’Dowd. “The UK has one of the best vehicle safety records in Europe, and a move to biennial testing would significantly undermine this and not be a viable solution. “We urge the DfI to work closely with NFDA-NI on the issue to create an MOT regime that works for all, and we look forward to working with the current Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins, and her team in the coming months.” [1] Biennial MOT Test Consultation | Department for Infrastructure [2] Road Safety appeal as 68 people lose their lives in 2024 | Department for Infrastructure [3] Changes to the date of the first MOT test and research into other MOT enhancements – GOV.UK