§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider the possibility of vehicles having to have a recent MOT test on change of ownership.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe MOT test certificate certifies only that the vehicle passed a check on a limited number of basic safety items on the day when the test was conducted. It does not guarantee the condition of the vehicle, and even a recent MOT should not be taken as indicating that a used car offered for sale is in good condition. I do not believe, therefore, that a requirement on these lines would necessarily achieve any greater protection for the purchaser.
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§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied with the present regulations which allow cars less than three years old to be exempt from MOT tests.
§ Mrs. ChalkerYes. To extend MOT testing to newer cars would not bring sufficient road safety benefits to justify the resources which this would need.
§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he intends to upgrade the present MOT test.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI have no plans to change the content of the test or the procedures for carrying it out. I shall continue to monitor and supervise the operation of the scheme to ensure that proper standards are maintained, and so far as possible that testing identifies potentially dangerous defects.