IMI hosts strategic industry roundtable on the future of the MOT

Industry experts come together to help shape the future of roadworthiness testing as vehicle tech evolves

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), with the support of the DVSA, brought together industry experts yesterday (21st October) for a strategic roundtable focused on ensuring the MOT test remains fit for purpose as vehicle technology evolves. 24 representatives from industry bodies, road safety organisations, intermediaries, educators, employers, government and technical, research and legal organisations joined the session. Each expert shared their unique experiences, insights and professional opinions to help create an accurate picture of what the sector needs to continue delivering trusted roadworthiness testing, maintain road safety and support motorists.

Chaired by IMI CEO, Nick Connor, the future-focused and evidence-led discussion covered key topics, from EV-specific inspection requirements, emerging safety risks and cost pressures to skills and workforce capabilities and training requirements. With a clear focus on the risks to future service delivery, the roundtable sought to determine whether the industry can continue to deliver an increasingly sophisticated MOT using a funding model developed for a much simpler vehicle parc.

Neil Barlow, Head of Vehicle Policy & Engineering for the DVSA shared thoughts on future testing requirements and evolving vehicle technologies, as well as some of the opportunities for reducing fraud in the service and improving the quality of testing. He also discussed how the MOT may be able to contribute to a more positive experience for motorists, particularly focusing on ‘cost of living’ challenges.

Nick Connor commented: “Getting such a wide range of experts around the table for this discussion was essential and provided valuable insights from real-world business experience that will help to inform how the MOT test evolves to meet future need. As the voice of the automotive workforce, it was important for the IMI to initiate this critical discussion. The collective goal was to ensure the future of road safety through sustainable and futureproof roadworthiness testing.”

Before the event, the IMI surveyed its members and the wider industry on the current pressures affecting investment in equipment and training for MOT services. The findings from the survey provided valuable insight into the experiences of MOT test centres and the wider automotive workforce at the roundtable.

Attendees at the roundtable session represented the following organisations:

Industry Bodies 

• IAAF
• SMMT 
• FSB 
• SMTA 
• BVRLA 
• NFDA

Road Safety Organisations 

• IAM RoadSmart 
• TyreSafe

Intermediaries 

• Fleet Assist

Educators  

• Protech

Technical, Research, and Legal 

• Transport Research Lab
• Lawgistics

Employers 

• Test Centre  
• Auto Windscreens 
• Eden Motor Group

Government 

• DVSA