Under new proposals by the government, motorists will only have to have their vehicles inspected every other year. At present, all vehicles over three years old must have an MoT test every year.

The proposals will also mean new cars will have to have their first MoT after four years, rather than the current three years.

Current statistics show 29% of cars fail their annual MoT.

An EU Directive states cars must be tested every two years. The UK currently has the lowest record of deaths per 100,000 people in the Europe, with Sweden in second and Holland in third; both operate a yearly MoT testing system similar to the UK.

Consumer watchdogs and industry chiefs are calling for the plans to be scrapped warning that the changes will put millions of lives at risk from unroadworthy vehicles. The Road Safety Minister Stephen Ladyman is also unhappy about the plans and worries that they will harm the UK’s road-safety record.