Without improved recruitment and training, and a statutory price, the MOT could face breakdown warns the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI).

Recruitment shortfall, lack of appropriate training, and a trend towards cut-price tests are all helping to undermine the status of the MOT.

Currently there are 55,000 MOT testers nationwide, but this is not enough to cover demand, particularly in London. At the same time, existing testers are not receiving the level of training they need to maintain standards.

According to Ian Davis-Knight, RMI operations manager, a lack of training is one of the most serious problems facing the MOT: 'Testers need better training, and they need to be retrained more often. Unless they can keep up with the latest developments they will not be able to do their job to the best of their ability.'

Davis-Knight believes that cut price tests are devaluing the MOT in the eyes of motorists: 'Let's stop cut-pricing the MOT. By doing so we invite the public to view it as a second rate service. We need a statutory price for the test, to which all testing stations can adhere.'

He continues: 'Often the MOT is seen just as part of the process of getting a car taxed, but it is much more than that. The MOT is a test of quality. It is about the safety of the car, and other road users. '