45% more MOTs took place between April and June of this year, compared with the same period in 2020, according to test data from the DVSA.

The data, obtained by BookMyGarage.com through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, shows the improvement as the sector begins to move beyond the wake of the MOT exemption. However,  test numbers were still down 32%  compared to Q2 2019.

According to Karen Rotberg, Co-Founder of BookMyGarage.com, the rest of 2021 is expected to stay busy, but not at the same level as was seen in 2020:  “We knew the six-month MOT extension would have an impact lasting several years, but this data shows that in the first year alone, MOT numbers have already rebalanced somewhat.”

BookMyGarage believe that the improvement of MOT test numbers in Q2  was probably partially driven by a combination of used cars being sold with a new MOT, and three-year-old cars having an MOT test for the first time.

Karen added: “While MOT test numbers between April and June are still some way off 2019 levels, it’s interesting to see numbers have recovered by almost half, or some 1.7 million tests. That means approximately half of the 3.4 million additional MOT tests that took place between September and December last year have already been conducted. So, while this autumn and winter will still be busier than normal for garages, we don’t expect it to be quite to the same extent as last year.”