A record number of MOT tests have been carried out in the north over the last 12 months, signalling the end of the years-long backlog that has caused misery for motorists.
In figures released on Friday by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), it emerged that in the year up to March 31, the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) conducted more than 1.6 million MOT tests – the highest ever recorded in one year.
The average waiting time for an MOT test has fallen from 100 days to around 30 days.
The new figures follow statistics from the Department for Infrastructure for January showing there were more total MOT tests – including retests – that month compared to any January over the past decade.
The backlog has been caused by failing test centre equipment, the Covid-19 pandemic, and delays to the opening of two new test centres around Belfast at Mallusk and Newtownabbey.
Meanwhile, a scheme offering temporary exemption certificates for some five and seven-year-old private cars that are roadworthy, taxed and insured has been extended for another year.
Other steps to reduce the backlog include the DVA hiring 35 new vehicle examiners last year.
A public consultation on allowing newer cars between four and ten-years-old to require a test every two years instead of annually will close nest Wednesday.
Speaking during a visit to Lisburn’s MOT test centre, where more than 88,100 examinations took place in the last year, infrastructure minister Liz Kimmins said the new figures were “remarkable” and thanked examiners “who work so hard to deliver these critical front-line services”.
“I am very aware of the frustration there has been in recent years around MOT waiting times which is why this significant news today from the DVA should be welcomed by all,” she said, adding of the new test centres, due to open later this year: “These centres will have a combined capacity to test more than 200,000 additional vehicles annually.”
It emerged last month that work on testing lanes at the Hydebank centre has been paused until after the resolution of legal proceedings involving the company whose contract to install them was terminated last year.
However, the minister said around 870 vehicles still fail to appear for scheduled tests every week.
“There will be many genuine reasons why some customers fail to attend their MOT appointments but this places added pressure on the DVA’s vehicle testing capacity, as these test appointments cannot be reallocated,” she added.