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Mechanics are warning of safety concerns after ministers suggested ditching annual MOT tests to help families cope with the cost of living crisis.

Ministers are looking at having the tests every two years instead of every year to help save money for households facing a predicted £693 annual hike to their energy bills.

Drivers are currently required to get an MOT on their car each year.

New MOT test rules coming into force on Sunday are causing confusion among some motorists, a survey suggests. Pic: Ian Nicholson/PA.

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Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is reported to have raised the idea at Cabinet after Boris Johnson asked ministers for ideas to help households - without any extra Government spending.

But the idea has raised concerns about safety and whether it would cost motorists more in the long run by storing up repairs.

Garages in Sheffield are among those who are concerned.

POSED BY MODEL

File photo dated 06/10/11 of a man looking under the bonnet of a car in London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Thursday October 27, 2011. Changes to the frequency of MOT tests for cars could lead to more than 250 additional road deaths a year, campaigners said. The Government is looking at ways 'to reduce the burden' of the MOT test which is currently required annually for cars three years old or more. Possible changes to this requirement have alarmed road safety, motoring and industry groups. Today, 25 organisations joined forces to launch a campaign to get the Government to rule out reducing the frequency of MOT testing. The campaigners fear any reduction could lead to 2,200 additional serious injuries a year as well as more-expensive repairs and higher insurance bills for motorists. The organisations also say that most drivers are opposed to any MOT changes and that up to 40,000 jobs in the MOT industry, including a large number of apprenticeships, could be at risk. See PA story TRANSPORT MoT. Photo credit should read: Ian Nicholson/PA Wire — POSED BY MODEL File photo dated 06/10/11 of a man looking under the bonnet of a car in London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Thursday October 27, 2011. Changes to the frequency of MOT tests for cars could lead to more than 250 additional road deaths a year, campaigners said. The Government is looking at ways 'to reduce the burden' of the MOT test which is currently required annually for cars three years old or more. Possible changes to this requirement have alarmed road safety, motoring and industry groups. Today, 25 organisations joined forces to launch a campaign to get the Government to rule out reducing the frequency of MOT testing. The campaigners fear any reduction could lead to 2,200 additional serious injuries a year as well as more-expensive repairs and higher insurance bills for motorists. The organisations also say that most drivers are opposed to any MOT changes and that up to 40,000 jobs in the MOT industry, including a large number of apprenticeships, could be at risk. See PA story TRANSPORT MoT. Photo credit should read: Ian Nicholson/PA Wire

Chris Lantini, who runs MB Services, on Holywell Road, near Brightside, said: “I think this is a bad idea, and it’s potentially dangerous. I see some of the vehicles that come in for MOTs and some of them are dangerous. Sometimes the people driving them don’t know, and you can see the shock on their faces when you explain how bad it is.

“And the MOT is a very basic test.”

He said he didn’t think it would seriously affect his garage as MOTs were a comparatively small part of their business, but said he thought garages which did a large proportion of their work on MOTs may have to put the prices up if the move went ahead, so the saving may be less than the Government expected.

“I drive on the roads with my family in the car,” he added. “The thought of someone losing control because of something breaking in their car as a result of this worries me.”

Rob Boulter, who runs Brooklands Service Garage on Brooklands Avenue, Fulwood, said he believed the change had been proposed in the past, but rejected because of safety concerns.

He said: “We’ve allegedly got the best MOT testing in the world, with the first test on the cars third birthday, and then every year. There are a lot that fail on their third birthday for things like tyres. I think this would be a bad idea for road safety.”

Ministers discussed a number of ideas that will be worked through at a ‘Domestic and Economic Strategy committee’, to be convened by Boris Johnson in the coming weeks.

Number 10 was unable to say what those ideas were or when they might be introduced amid reports that ministers could slash tariffs on food imports, branded goods like designer handbags and refined oil products.

The PM's spokesman also hinted at future help on childcare.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: “We are considering every possible option to ensure people can keep more of their money.”

But the spokesman made it clear there was no new money to alleviate the crisis until a further financial announcement from the Chancellor.

He said: “Certainly, the budgets for departments are set and there are no plans to go outside what's been agreed.”

MOT tests: Sheffield garages warn of car safety risk if cut to every two years

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