Written question asked by Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 3 November 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 November 2025. It was answered by Simon Lightwood (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 November 2025 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Motor Vehicles: Testing

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many vehicles which passed their MOT in (a) 2022-2023, (b) 2023-2024 and (c) 2024-2025 were assessed for exhaust noise as per section 8.1.1. of the MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles.

Answer

It is a mandatory requirement for all MOT centres in England to assess for exhaust noise when conducting an MOT.

During the emissions test the tester is required to use their judgement to assess the exhaust noise, either as part of the emissions test or by raising the engine speed to around 2,500rpm or half the maximum engine speed.

The numbers below show how many active MOT testing stations there are in England, who have carried out MOTs. This would include being assessed for exhaust noise.

2022 to 2023 there were 22,701 active MOT testing stations testing car, private bus and light commercial vehicles (classes 3,4,5 and 7);
2023 to 2024 there were 22,526 active MOT testing stations for classes 3,4,5 and 7 and;
2024 to 2025 there were 22,448 active MOT testing stations for classes 3,4,5 and 7 vehicles.

2022 to 2023 there were 30,843,492 normal tests carried out for classes 4, 5 and 7;
2023 to 2024 there were 31,084,949 normal tests carried out for classes 4, 5 and 7 and;
2024 to 2025 there were 31,615,467 normal tests carried out for classes 4, 5 and 7 vehicles.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 87621
Session: 2024-26
Grouped for answer: Yes
Subjects: Motor vehicles Noise Testing
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Motor Vehicles: Testing

Secondary information

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