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MoT changes will hit used car buyers, says finance company boss
publication date: Jun 2, 2011
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author/source: Robin Roberts
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, 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. The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has set up a new MOT text reminder service for customers. It costs a one-off £1.50 and reminders will be sent five weeks, two weeks and a day before the MOT is due with more details from www.Directgov.co.uk |
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