MOT charges in North rise

The failure of test centres in Northern Ireland to meet their targets despite heavy investment could see a rise in MOT charges, it has been revealed.

Waiting times for customers is currently 55 days and that has tripled in recent time. Auditor General John Dowdall stressed that the increase in charges could become a reality
“Consultants have estimated that full testing, which DVTA introduced in March 2006, could result in tests increasing to between 25 and 29 minutes.

“Such an outcome would result in capacity becoming exhausted in some test centres as early as 2006/2007, and at 10 of the 15 centres by 2010/2011,” said Dowdall.
“There has been a subsequent improvement in test times, and we estimate that the total additional costs are likely to be in the region of £33.3m (E48m).”