Written question asked by Lord Berkeley (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Earl Attlee (Conservative) on Wednesday, 16 November 2011.

Transport: MoT Scheme

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimates they have made of the number of deaths and serious injuries that would occur if the current frequency of MoT tests was decreased so that the first test takes place after four years, and subsequent tests every two years.

Answer: In April 2011 the Department for Transport published the results of independent research commissioned to examine how vehicle defects affect accident rates, and to consider the potential road safety impact of changing the frequency of the MoT. The Effect of Vehicle Defects in Road Accidents report can be found at: http://www.trl.co.uk/online_store/reports_publications/trl_reports/cat_road_user_ safety/report_effect_of_vehicle_defects_in_road_ accidents.htm.

Secondary information