MOT evasion falls in Northern Ireland

MOT evasion fell last year in Northern Ireland, the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) revealed today.

A 2008 report into the levels of non compliance with the vehicle testing system showed a 1.2% fall on the previous years’ results.

Environment Minister Sammy Wilson said: “The latest MOT evasion report indicates that the level of vehicle test evasion is 8.42% - a reduction of 1.2 percentage points from the 2007 rate of 9.62%.

“Compliance with MOT testing requirements is increasing which has a significant benefit to road safety.

“The MOT test is a key part of the Department’s road safety strategy as it ensures vehicles are checked at least once a year for roadworthiness”.

The report also revealed:

Evasion levels increase in vehicles over 11 years of age.

Class C unclassified roads remain the most likely to have non compliant vehicles, with evasion levels around 14.8%.

The level of evasion on Class A primary urban roads has increased since 2007 to 13.7%.

.38% of vehicles of MOT age did not have a valid vehicle excise licence.

The report indicates a downward trend for evasion levels from a high of 28.4% in 2002 to 8.42% in 2008, much of this reduction is due to road safety initiatives brought forward by the Department.

Notes to Editors:

1. Information for the report was taken from the annual Department for Transport traffic survey carried out in June each year to identify levels of vehicle excise duty evasion.

2. Recent changes to legislation now mean that Driver and Vehicle Agency Enforcement officers have the power to stop and carry out roadworthiness checks on any vehicle on NI roads.

3. Information about DVA can be found on the Agency’s website .For those who do not have access to the Internet, information is available from DVA Enforcement Headquarters 148/158 Corporation St Belfast BT1 3DH.

4. For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office 028 9054 0014 or out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.