MOT Changes Will Drive Up Repair Bills, Claim
Released on: June 03, 2011, 4:33 am
Author:
ACF Car Finance
Industry: Automotive
People who buy cars from the small ads are likely to be hit
with big bills if proposed changes to the current MOT testing schedule
go ahead, a national used car retailer has predicted.
Private car buyers, says ACF Car Finance Limited, would stand a greater chance of
inheriting costly mechanical faults which until now have been remedied by the car's
previous owner.
This, it believes, will be the consequence of delaying a car's first MOT from year
three to year four, and afterwards testing it only every two years instead of
annually.
ACF Car Finance, which operates a network of car showrooms across the UK, says that
reputable dealers will continue as they do at present to inspect cars thoroughly
before sale.
Any mechanical faults or safety issues will be remedied at this stage - but buyers
of cars from private sellers could find themselves landed with unexpected repair
bills they can ill afford.
Such a prospect has been overlooked by MPs who are currently debating possible MOT
changes, believes Mark Jones, Divisional Manager of Operations and Logistics at ACF
Car Finance:
"Issues identified at the MOT are the responsibility of the car's owner - but if
no recent test has highlighted these and the car is sold, the problem is simply
passed down the line," said Mark.
"People who buy privately often do so because they believe they can save on
showroom prices - but under this proposed new regime, such a decision could exact a
severe financial penalty.
"The cost of a repair could be substantially higher than would have been the case
had it been picked up earlier and put right by the previous owner," he added.
Mark, who sends thousands of vehicles each year for MOT testing, says it's a myth
that modern cars are now much less likely to develop faults than in the 1960s when
MOTs were introduced:
"ACF Car Finance has very strict buying policies and a team of experienced buyers,
but we still MOT test every car before re-sale, including those less than three
years old.
"It's a fact that almost half require some degree of repair work, the majority of
which is safety related.
"To put it simply, there is much more which can go wrong on modern cars, and the
worsening condition of our roads, especially potholes, is also a major cause of
vehicle damage.
"Lengthening the time between inspections of a car is going to mean that problems
are overlooked, and then passed on by the private seller as an expensive legacy to
the next owner.
"We are lobbying strongly for a drastic re-think of these proposals - but if they
do go ahead, people should know that buying a car from the small ads could be a big
mistake," said Mark.
ACF Car Finance specialises in supplying vehicles to the growing number of people
who find that even minor blemishes on their credit records are affecting their
ability to borrow or get car credit.
More information about the company can be found at www.ACFCarFinance.co.uk.
ends
Note to editors: ACF Car Finance Limited (www.ACFCarFinance.co.uk) is Britain's
leading supplier of high-quality used cars to people whose credit status might
otherwise prevent them from obtaining vehicle finance. ACF Car Finance has
earned a strong reputation within the finance and motor industry for its standards
of customer care, and the quality of the friendly, professional advice provided by
members of its fully-trained team.
ACF Car Finance Limited. Registered in England number 4757280. Registered office
address: International House, Kingsfield Court, Chester Business Park, Chester CH4
9RF.
More press information from PR consultant Jon Boston on 01768
895 225 or ACF Car Finance marketing manager Jane Whittle on 01244 625 683
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