The backlog in MOT assessments in Northern Eire might lastly be easing, with January 2023 seeing the very best variety of assessments performed in a decade.
Information launched by the Division for Infrastructure (DfI) signifies that January this 12 months recorded the very best variety of whole MOT assessments—together with retests—in comparison with any earlier January over the past decade.
A complete of 101,818 assessments have been performed in January 2023, surpassing the 96,752 assessments carried out throughout the identical month in 2024, an enormous enchancment from the 38,105 assessments recorded on the peak of the Covid restrictions in January 2021.
The DfI mentioned this determine “represents the highest number of vehicle tests conducted in January since the series began.”
One of many major points contributing to the backlog was the invention of cracks in 16 automobile lifting items at MOT take a look at centres in 2019, which hindered testing capability.
The affect was exacerbated when the Covid-19 pandemic restricted the supply of take a look at slots within the following years.
Moreover, delays in finishing two new MOT testing centres deliberate for Mallusk and Hydebank contributed to prolonged wait occasions for motorists. Each centres are anticipated to open later this 12 months, which is anticipated to additional alleviate the backlog.
In Northern Eire, new automobiles are usually not required to bear their first MOT take a look at till they’re 4 years previous, after which testing turns into an annual requirement.
There are plans to vary the rules in order that automobiles aged between 4 and ten years previous will solely be obliged to have an MOT each two years as an alternative of yearly.
A public session concerning this proposed change is presently open and can run till April 16, with additional particulars accessible on the DfI’s official web site.
