MOT centres to spy on drivers’ mileage under | Tech News

MOT take a look at centres can be instructed to spy on drivers’ mileage to calculate new Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) charges under Rachel Reeves’ new pay-per-mile plan. HM Treasury has issued more particulars round how the new electric pay-per-mile tax can be calculated, with MOT take a look at centres enjoying a important position.

Mileage is already checked out during MOT assessments, with particulars of how far drivers have travelled uploaded to the take a look at certificates for all to see. However, garages will now go one step additional and examine that drivers have paid the proper tax on vehicles on the time of their annual inspection. There has been a lot debate about how the Chancellor’s flagship EV coverage would work since her announcement of the new scheme on Wednesday. 

However, a new session on the new eVED prices revealed the essential position MOT centres will now play, admitting mechanics are “well placed” to conduct the assessments.

The Treasury defined: “Alongside paying their VED each year, under eVED motorists will estimate their mileage for the year ahead, pay an upfront charge based on their estimate or spread their payment across the year, and then submit their actual mileage at the end of the year to trigger a reconciliation.

“Motorists will have their mileage checked annually, typically during their MOT as is already the case, or for new cars, around their first and second registration anniversary.

They added: “The government considers MOT test centres to be well placed to be these accredited providers. They already have facility to record mileages and are trusted partners of Government.”

There was some confusion round what would occur to model new electric vehicles, with MOT assessments normally not required till the third 12 months of a car’s lifespan. However, the Treasury has proposed that EV house owners can be required to attend a particular “mileage check” as soon as a 12 months to calculate prices.

The Treasury defined: “Cars under three years old are not currently required to have an annual MOT. The government currently intends for these cars to attend an additional mileage check at an accredited provider around their first and second anniversary, but welcomes views on whether these additional checks should be required.”

Ms Reeves confirmed a 3p per mile payment for battery electric vehicles and a 1.5p per mile charge for hybrids would come into impact from 2028.

Early estimates have urged the payment may set drivers back round £300 per 12 months, with new charges paid on high of Vehicle Excise Duty charges. Under the new scheme, travelling between London and Edinburgh will set drivers back by round £12.