March 18, 2025
A new survey of UK MOT testers and workshop managers has revealed widespread concerns over a potential rule change that could see vehicles with outstanding safety recalls automatically fail their MOT. The findings suggest that the government must carefully consider the impact of such a change before introducing new legislation.
Plans to begin linking MOT outcomes to vehicle recalls were first announced in 2019, with Neil Barlow, DVSA Head of MOT Policy, stating, “DVSA will work with the Department for Transport to determine how the MOT system can be adjusted to cover outstanding safety recalls in the future. It would make logical sense where appropriate for the MOT to be aligned with the safety recalls system.”
Now, the new government is reportedly expected to move forward with these plans. However, experts warn that rushing the implementation of the new rules could overwhelm dealerships, delay essential vehicle repairs, and leave motorists stranded while waiting for necessary recall work to be completed.
MOT Juice, a leading provider of MOT compliance and training solutions, surveyed UK MOT testers and site managers to understand their views on the potential recall rule change. The results, as shown below, highlight several industry concerns.
67% of respondents were unaware that these changes were being considered.
Almost half (46%) of respondents said their workshops were not prepared to handle a surge in recall-related repairs. 35% said they were somewhat prepared, with only 18% feeling very prepared.
93% believe customers would be upset if their vehicle failed its MOT due to an outstanding recall, particularly given the long wait times for warranty work at dealerships.
There was a clear split between all respondents about whether it was fair to fail an MOT based on an unresolved vehicle safety recall, with 43% suggesting it depends on the severity of the fault, 33% believe it is completely unfair and 24% believe it to be fair regardless of recall severity.
The majority of MOT sites already inform customers about outstanding recalls (72%), but 9% admitted they do not check at all.
64% of MOT staff said customers rarely know about recalls affecting their vehicle.
The most common reasons for customers not getting recall faults fixed were felt to be:
o 30% – Lack of customer awareness
o 22% – Difficulty booking repairs
o 21% – Lack of urgency from customers
o 20% – Dealers not notifying them
67% of respondents support a system where customers are informed about recall warnings via the MOT database.
Barry Babister, Managing Director at MOT Juice, commented:
“Our survey results reveal a cautious stance across the industry regarding the proposed change to classify unresolved recalls as MOT failures. A significant number of respondents, including those from main dealer groups as well as many independents, have expressed concerns about potential strains on service capacity and customer satisfaction. It is clear that any changes to MOT regulations must be carefully evaluated for their operational impact. We urge the government to engage in thorough, industry-wide consultations to ensure that any new policies are both practical and considerate of the challenges faced by all in the industry at present.”
With over 5 million UK vehicles potentially affected by outstanding safety recalls (according to the most recent DVSA data), the industry agrees that ensuring these defects are resolved is essential. However, MOT testers and managers warn that any policy changes must be practical, manageable, and fair to motorists and businesses alike.
MOT Juice will be sharing the full survey results with industry stakeholders and policymakers to contribute to the ongoing discussions.
