The government has backed down on plans to cut the frequency of MOT tests following pressure from road safety groups and the motor industry.
Transport Secretary Justine Greening said she had abandoned proposals to relax the rules on MOTs, which would have led to vehicles only being examined every two years.
The current system involves annual tests after a car has been on the road for three years.
The planned changes would have also seen cars face their first MOTs only after they were four years old.
In a written statement, Greening said: "Having listened closely to the very many views put forward and considered the available evidence, I have decided that I am not going to carry out further work in relation to relaxing the first test date or the frequency of testing."
Change welcomed
The U-turn was welcomed by campaign group Pro-MOTe, which is made up of a number of motor and insurance firms and trade bodies, including Confused.com, the AA, the RAC and road safety group Brake.
Bill Duffy, co-ordinator of Pro-MOTe and boss of Halford Autocentres said: "Reducing the frequency of MOTs would have been dangerous, expensive and unwanted.
"We welcome the government’s sensible decision today to drop the idea.
"The proposal to reduce MOT frequency was opposed by organisations across the board, from industry to road safety campaigners to insurance companies and others.
"Their support for Pro-MOTe and its objective was a major factor in persuading ministers that the maintenance of annual MOTs was the right way forward.
"We look forward to working with government on how to make the MOT test better and to ensure consumers receive the best customer service.”
European directive
The less stringent MOT programme was being considered because EU guidelines on roadworthiness testing are not as strict as the UK’s current system.
But Pro-MOTe said that a lower frequency of testing would have had drastic consequences such as a rise in road deaths due to a higher number of vehicles in poor condition.
There were also concerns over an increase in motoring expenses due to mechanical problems not being tackled often enough, and a loss of employment in the motor industry.
Greening now says that the government will focus on improvements to the reliability and standards of British garages.
