Editing MOT test (section)

==History==
The MOT test was first introduced on a voluntary basis on 12 September 1960 under the direction of the-then [[Minister of Transport]], [[Ernest Marples]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motester.co.uk/CarOwnersGuidetoTheMOT/HistoryoftheMOTTest.aspx |title=History of the MOT Test |publisher=MOT Testing Magazine |access-date=2010-10-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926083754/http://www.motester.co.uk/CarOwnersGuidetoTheMOT/HistoryoftheMOTTest.aspx |archive-date=2010-09-26 }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Roberts|first=Andrew|date=2020-09-13|title=The MOT car safety test: saving lives since 1960|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/classic/mot-car-safety-test-saving-lives-since-1960/|access-date=2020-09-15|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> under powers in the Road Traffic Act 1956. The test was originally a basic test including brakes, lights and steering check which was to be carried out after the vehicle was ten years old and every year thereafter. This became known as the "ten year test", or alternatively the "Ministry of Transport Test". A fee is applicable to the test and the amount involved for a car when testing was first introduced in 1960 was fourteen shillings (70 new (decimal) pence) plus one shilling (five new pence) for the certificate. The voluntary period ended on 15 February 1961 and the high test failure rate resulted in the age that vehicles became due for testing being reduced to seven years on 31 December 1961.<ref name=":0" /> In 1962, the first commercial vehicle exam was created and a valid certificate was required in order to receive a tax disc, and in April 1967, the testable age for an MOT was reduced to three years. On 1 January 1983, the testable age for ambulances, taxis and vehicles with more than eight passenger seats (excluding the driver's) was reduced to one year.

The list of items tested has been continually expanded over the years, including:
* 1968 – a tyre check
* 1977 – checks of windscreen wipers and washers, indicators, brake lights, horns, exhaust system and condition of the body structure and chassis
* 1991 – checks of the [[Emission standard|emissions test]] for petrol engine vehicles, together with checks on the anti-lock braking system, rear wheel bearings, rear wheel steering (where appropriate) and rear seat belts
* 1992 – a stricter tyre tread depth requirement for most vehicles
* 1994 – a check of emissions for diesel engine vehicles
* 2005 – introduction of a computerised administration system for issuing non-secure test certificates, and the creation of the 'Automated Test Bay' which differed from traditional testing by installing equipment in the bay to obviate the need for a tester's assistant during the test
* 2012 – checks of secondary restraint systems, battery and wiring, electronic stability control, speedometers and steering locks.

In recent years there have been attempts to change the frequency of the MOT in the UK, including moving to a test every two years, or changing the age that vehicles become due for testing to four years, instead of three. However, these changes have been dismissed following government consultations, on the grounds of safety.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://autorepairfocus.com/first-mot-remain-three-years/ | title=First MOT to remain at three years - Auto Repair Focus | date=18 January 2018 }}</ref> Most recently, it was suggested<ref>{{cite web | url=https://autorepairfocus.com/mot-could-move-to-every-two-years-under-cost-of-living-suggestions/ | title=MOT could move to every two years under cost-of-living suggestions - Auto Repair Focus | date=27 April 2022 }}</ref> by former Transport Secretary [[Grant Shapps]], that the MOT again move to a biennial check, to help motorists save money as a result of the ongoing [[2021–present United Kingdom cost-of-living crisis|cost-of-living crisis]]. This plan has yet to be officially taken to consultation by the government, but has provoked response from safety organisations.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://autorepairfocus.com/tyresafe-criticises-government-mot-suggestions/ | title=TyreSafe criticises government MOT suggestions - Auto Repair Focus | date=17 May 2022 }}</ref>