Minister pledges to do more to ensure annual tests are carried out properly after research shows many defects are missed
The government has dropped proposals to make vehicles pass MOT tests only every two years after safety campaigners warned it would mean more deaths on the roads.
Justine Greening, the transport secretary, pledged to do more to ensure the annual tests are carried out properly, after her department's research showed that more than a quarter of vehicles tested in 2010-2011 had defects that were either missed or incorrectly assessed. The roadworthiness of one in eight cars was incorrectly assessed, the data showed.
Greening's predecessor, Philip Hammond, had signalled a rethink on MOTs, claiming that modern cars were so much safer that annual check-ups were an unnecessary financial burden on the motorist.
Rising road casualties – new figures expected on Thursday may confirm the trend – may have prompted the Department for Transport to back down.
The DfT said it would work with industry, motoring organisations and consumer groups to focus on the reliability and standards of garages and encourage the take-up of codes of practice. MOT certificates will be changed to record mileage history and to help motorists spot "clocked" second-hand vehicles.
Greening said: "I want each motorist to be confident that a visit to the garage ends with their car repaired to a high standard by reputable mechanics rather than uncertainty about cost and the quality of service. Giving drivers the very best information about garage performance is absolutely key to achieving this goal."
Stephen Glaister, of the RAC Foundation, said: "Drivers will be shocked at how many defects go undetected. We are pleased ministers have decided both to retain the current frequency of the tests and turn a spotlight on those garages not coming up to standard. Drivers are paying good money for MOTs and have a right to expect accuracy and value for money in return."
About 30m MOT tests are conducted at 21,000 test centres in Britain each year, costing £55 each for a normal car.