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MOT test centres face massive demand this Christmas because of six-month extension

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Time 8:26 am, December 22, 2020

Thousands of extra requests for MOT tests could be made this Christmas as a result of the six-month extension allowed earlier in the year.

Drivers were allowed to push back their MOT test because of the restrictions introduced in the spring. The extension expired on August 1, but it still means that many of those that were due in June will be expiring now.

Car servicing comparison site BookMyGarage.com said its data suggested that 700,000 fewer MOTs took place in June this year versus the same month in 2019.


Between December 23 and December 31 last year, just 300,000 MOTs were taken.

As such, garages could now be inundated with test requests at a time when they’re usually quieter.

The Tier 4 restrictions don’t apply to garages and test centres, as they are an essential service.


Of the 9,000 garages on BookMyGarage.com, 93 per cent will be open over the Christmas period, apart from Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Jessica Potts, head of marketing at BookMyGarage.com, said: ‘Nearly 700,000 fewer MOTs were carried out in June, with many of these due this Christmas, particularly this year when the extension has caused demand to be significantly higher than normal since September.

‘That said, we know Christmas can be a useful time of year for many to catch up on errands, and it’s useful to know that almost all our garages will be open for the majority of the Christmas break.’

John Bowman's avatar

John has been with Car Dealer since 2013 after spending 25 years in the newspaper industry as a reporter then a sub-editor/assistant chief sub-editor on regional and national titles. John is chief sub-editor in the editorial department, working on Car Dealer, as well as handling social media.



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