Guernsey MoT-style scheme moves a step closer

Vehicle inspections in Guernsey have moved a step closer with preparations under way for a phased roll-out of UK MoT-style tests more than a decade after proposals were first made.

Deputy Adrian Gabriel, who leads the Environment & Infrastructure Committee, said Traffic and Highway Services was making "good progress" after receiving detailed feedback from the motor trade.

The inspections would be introduced in phases, beginning with vehicles used overseas and cars between 20 and 40 years old, project leaders said.

While the plans would need to be put before the States, Gabriel said the aim was to have the scheme running "as soon as is practical".

Robert Cornelius, from the Guernsey Motor Trades Association, said the industry was broadly supportive and had been waiting a long time for clarity.

"This has been talked about for many years now, even before [the] Covid [pandemic], so it's good to see things finally moving," he said.

He added that phasing in the scheme made sense, particularly as some older vehicles may struggle to meet the new standards.

Cornelius said the biggest benefit would be safer vehicles on Guernsey's roads, along with better protection for people buying second‑hand cars.

"This is all about people driving safe vehicles, and protecting anyone buying a used car that might otherwise need a lot of work," he said.

Local dealer Andre Whiteway said some of the second‑hand cars arriving at his forecourt were in such poor condition they were "not fit to be on the road", with some trade‑ins having to be scrapped immediately.

He warned many unsafe vehicles were still being driven around unnoticed, and he believed such inspections would make a real difference.

"One day there's going to be a serious accident because a car isn't roadworthy," he said.

He added that extra work involved if the inspections were introduced would be worth it if it improved safety for everyone using the roads.

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