Only 200 of 1,813 vehicles reported through emissions alert system fail their test

Just under 200 of the 1,813 vehicles called in since the start of 2014 following citizen’s reports through the Emissions Alert messaging system had failed its testing, figures show.

The figures show that 138 cars had failed their first test yet went on to pass their second, while 75 had been scrapped or garaged prior to testing.

The number of vehicles being called in has been on a significant increase, rising from 217 vehicles in 2014 to 604 in 2017. Last year 65 vehicles had failed their test. In 2018 so far, 319 vehicles have been called in to be tested, with 23 failing their test.

The Emissions Alert service is operated by Transport Malta. A car owner is notified by TM to have his or her car tested after three separate reports are filled on the vehicle within a threemonth period.

If the car does not reach the set criteria, a fine is issued and the same process is repeated until the vehicle’s emission levels are within limit.

If motorists fail to take their vehicle to Transport Malta after two notifications, their car license would not be eligible for renewal before the vehicle is tested and proven roadworthy.

Emissions remain a growing concern in Malta, with the latest Eurostat figures showing that Malta registered the third highest number of cars per 1,000 inhabitants in the European Union in 2016. With 615 passenger cars per 1000 inhabitants, Malta only ranks below Italy (625 cars) and Luxembourg (662 cars) out of all European countries.

Previous figures have also revealed that Malta recorded the highest increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the European Union in 2017, despite recorded the largest drop the year before.

Vehicles emitting excessive emissions can be reported by sending an SMS to 5061 1899.