Take a pit stop and follow the EPTV crew as they steer you through the changes to MOT tests aimed at reducing road traffic tragedies and mileage fraud.

Road safety gains pole position

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/11796796/j005-0015-en.srt

There are more than 290 million vehicles  on the roads in Europe.

To minimise the number of accidents  linked to technical failures,

Member States have introduced regular  roadworthiness tests: the MOT!

The mechanics, the brakes, the car body,

the suspension, mileage,  lighting and pollution,

If they don’t meet certain safety criteria,  they’ll be shown the red card

and the vehicle will  be declared unfit to be driven.

But as there are as many different  MOT tests as there are Member States

so the EU has decided to bring them  all into line with each other.

From now on the EU will make cross-border  recognition of MOT certificates obligatory.

The frequency of the tests  will also be the same across the EU.

Cars and vans will undergo  their first test after four years.

After this, they will be tested every 2 years.

EU States will be able to reduce this gap

for vehicles clocking more  than 160,000 km, if they so wish.

The harmonisation of MOT tests  also aims to tackle fraud.

In between 5 and 12%  of second-hand vehicles sold in the EU

it is alleged that  the mileage has been altered.

As a result, during every test MOT centres  will now have to record the mileage.

However, motorcycles  with engines over 125cc

will be subject to compulsory inspections  across the EU, but only after 2022.

Until then it will be the prerogative  of each Member State to impose tests.