Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department plans to make specific financial support available to the motor trade industry to compensate loss of revenue as a result of the six month extension of MOTs following the covid-19 outbreak.

The Government recognises the importance of the UK motor industry and the severe impacts of Covid. The sector has benefited from unprecedented support for businesses and individuals over the past year. We continue to work with trade associations and companies to understand the sector’s needs and what support measures companies plan to use as we continue to restart the economy.

The extension to MOT certificates was introduced last year in response to the emerging coronavirus pandemic. This was to ensure that motorists could continue to use their vehicles to travel to work where essential, or to shop for essential food and medicine. The Government did not mandate garage closures, and car servicing was not prohibited. This meant that, while MOT certificates had been extended, motorists would still be able to keep their vehicles safe and roadworthy, including receiving any necessary repairs and maintenance.