‘Several millions’ to set up centre for MOT tests
CREATING the infrastructure needed for MOT-style testing could cost ‘several million pounds’, and the high start-up costs ‘will influence test fees’ that motorists have to pay.
Environment & Infrastructure and Policy & Resources have submitted joint proposals to phase in testing by 2023.
The proposals have been backed by the motor trade. However, some have expressed concerns about how the system would be resourced.
‘There are cars that are not fit for the roads, so it is a good idea,’ said Whiteway Motors owner Andre Whiteway.
‘But how they are going to introduce it and monitor it when there are a shortage of mechanics in the island is another thing.
‘I do think it would be good for the general public, especially for people buying cars privately, as at least you will have that peace of mind.’
Guernsey Motor Trades Association president Robert Cornelius said the industry has lost a lot of staff in recent years.
However, he agreed that the changes were needed for safety reasons and to protect islanders’ right to drive throughout Europe post-Brexit.
‘The GMTA has been calling for some form of safety check or MOT for many years to ensure that vehicles are safe and in a roadworthy condition,’ he said.
‘Currently, there is no legislation to make people maintain their cars.
‘At the end of the day other countries have these tests and the reality is in the modern world we should get them too.’
Although there is no detail yet on how the tests would be carried out, he said the association will gladly work with the States to come up with the best solution.
Barras Car Centre sales director Paul Guilmoto said MOT-style testing would make the roads safer.
‘It is a positive for everybody to be honest. If there are safety checks as it will take a lot of rubbish off the roads and make Guernsey a safer place.’
Paul’s Motors owner Carl Le Page said: ‘I do agree that there should be an MOT of some form on the island, I have for a long time. It should happen but would have to be suitable for the island and cover the safety aspect of vehicles.’
In its policy letter, the States committees said the initial costs would be high and would need to be recovered.
‘Starting from scratch, a potential site for car and motorcycle tests using two car test lanes plus provision for a motorcycle test area could cost several million pounds to build and equip, excluding any associated land costs,’ it says.
‘Annual operating costs, including engineering and administration costs and allowing for a capital payback period will all need to be factored in to the calculations. This would then influence the test fees to be applied.’
‘Adding in a dedicated lane for commercial vehicles would probably cost in the region of £750,000 plus associated operating costs.
Currently, a MOT in England costs £54.85 and a re-test half of that amount.
The policy letter appears to dismiss a public sector owned and operated testing centre, as the States ‘doesn’t currently have any experience of operating test centres and would need to buy-in significant external expertise to even get things off the ground’.
The report speaks more favourably of a privately-run operation.
‘A single experienced operator could remove a significant burden from government in terms of setting up and managing a testing service here in Guernsey and help speed up the implementation process, albeit there would be a need to engage in a fairly thorough tendering process to select a suitable contractor in addition to any building programme.’
An alternative approach might be to contract separate operators, one for cars and light vans, and another for commercial vehicles.
‘It would provide the possibility of a number of smaller test sites being set up, most likely at existing garages.
‘These would be unlikely to follow the same fluid set up as a bespoke test centre and would require multiple contracts and inspection arrangements.’