Millions of vehicles can have MoT delayed for six months

MILLIONS of vehicles will be exempt from MOTs during the coronavirus crisis.

Ministers are granting a six-month reprieve to promote social distancing and ensure key workers can keep using their cars for essential travel. It means any car, van or motorcycle due an MOT from March 30 will have their expiry date extended by exactly six months.

This emergency measure will stay in place for 12 months but will be under constant review, the Department for Transport said.

Around 2.5million cars, vans and motorbikes undergo an MOT test every month.

Drivers of exempt vehicles will be trusted to keep their cars roadworthy, although officials say they have no way of enforcing this.

The DfT website has published a basic guide to vehicle maintenance for drivers. Officials say anyone caught driving a dangerous vehicle could face a £2,500 fine, three penalty points or an outright ban.

The usual penalty for driving without a valid MOT is £1,000.

The AA and RAC said the announcement is a ‘sensible solution’ for drivers anxious about their MOT expiring while in self-isolation.

However, road safety groups criticised the decision amid fears a rise in accidents involving un-roadworthy vehicles could put more pressure on the NHS.

Drivers can use an MOT checker tool on the Government’s website to get their new expiry date, which will be extended automatically, but it may take a few days for this to appear.