Euro
MOT threat - what is behind this news item?
Tracing
the source information on the European Commission website behind
their online survey using the title at the head of the survey
form does not reveal any consultation document. We were able
to find the online consultation on this matter has been running
since 30th July 2010 and is due to close today, 24th September
2010! More
EC
online response form
Posted:
24.9.10 |
 |
Euro
MOT threat - what is behind this news item?
"The UK's current MOT system will be replaced
with a new Europe-wide roadworthiness inspection
regime under the new EU plans. Any non standard
modification will result in an instant MOT fail."
- alarming news in a recent V8BB posting. |
But
what is behind the news? Well MCN (Motor Cycle News)
ran a general news item with their 22nd Sepetmber
2010 issue which you can read at MCN.
The article ended by urging its readers to respond
to an online European Commission consultation titled
"Internet consultation relating on Periodic
Technical Inspections (PTI) for motor vehicles and
their trailers" as part of their Interactive
Policy Making Online consulations website.
The initial response of Chris Hunt Cooke
(former FBHVC chairman and a member of their Legislation
Committee) was:
I suspect that this MCN article
is the sort of scare story of the type that Classic
Car Weekly produce every now and then to boost sales.
The survey itself does not suggest that these are
proposals, it asks if tests should stay the same,
be harder or easier for instance. Germany has the
most rigorous testing to be sure, but the UK is
not far behind. Most of Europe has tests starting
at 4 years old and then every 2 years, and the last
I heard the EU were inclining towards adopting that,
ie slackening our current regime, and the danger
suggested was that small garages would suffer from
that.
It would not be so surprising if commercial vehicles
were tested more frequently, the average mileage
a new commercial vehicle faces is something like
100,000 miles pa. Roadside checks on them are a
current policy, carried out by VOSA inspectors,
and very necessary. Some former IRA people have
moved into European haulage, operating ruthlessly
with coerced Eastern European drivers ignoring restrictions
on drivers' hours and a policy of no servicing until
the vehicle breaks down. I have seen pictures of
vehicles which have lost a wheel having the empty
axle supported by a loading strap! Google Operation
Mermaid to see more.
Funnily enough I was interviewed by Ian Mutch of
Motorcyclists Action Group a couple of weeks ago,
and he made no mention of this. I am surprised however
that I have not heard of this survey before, and
I will make enquiries.
Chris later added:
Yes, the FBHVC Secretary takes
the same view as I do, this has been sensationalised,
they have taken the most extreme option given for
each item in the questionnaire and put it forward
as though it was a policy proposal. FBHVC have responded
and the covering letter is attached. FIVA (Federation
Internationale Vehicules Anciens) have also replied.
FBHVC
letter
Chris posted a response on the V8BB saying:
MCN - MotorCycle News have
gone down the sensationalist route here, taking
the most extreme proposals from the questionnaire
in each case and made it sound as that was EU policy.
The EU directive on roadworthiness testing does
have specific arrangements for historic vehicles
and the relevant recital provides this must not
lead to the application of stricter standards than
those which the vehicles concerned were originally
designed to meet. By all means complete the questionnaire,
but there is no need for panic! |
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