MPs unaware of unregulated vehicle technicians

Nearly one in five (18%) MPs believe that all technicians in their local garage are qualified to work on today's vehicles despite the fact that there is currently no mandatory requirement for such qualifications.

This finding comes after new research was carried out by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), who are now urging the Government to take note of the issue that could affect the public's safety.

The research also found that 85% of MPs believe that a majority of technicians working in garages should be qualified while 31% believe that every technician should be qualified.

More than half (56%) of MPs have given their support for the introduction of a mandatory License to Practice for motor technicians.

"It is laudable that MPs representing the interests of their constituents have such faith in the standards of their local motor repair and servicing garage", said Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI.

"But, whilst we know that the major brands insist on the technicians in their franchised dealerships being properly qualified, as do a number of independent garages, there are still many individuals and independent operators working without any checks on their levels of competency and skills.

"Considering the technical advances that are now part and parcel of today's cars, this is an extremely worrying issue and should be a real cause for concern for motorists' safety. Yet, to date, we have been unable to convince Government to make licensing of vehicle technicians mandatory.

"Several sectors in which public safety is critical, such as boiler maintenance and dental repair, require the practitioner to have a mandatory and renewable license. It seems almost mind-boggling that the same principle is not applied to the technicians who work on people's cars.

"With the motor industry facing a real crisis of confidence as a result of the emissions scandal, surely it makes sense for the Government to support an initiative that will ensure motorists can put their trusts in the technicians working on their vehicles."

The number of registered hybrid vehicles on UK roads has increased by a factor of three in the last five years to almost 200,000 and the numbers of electric and ultra-low emission vehicles are also increasing. The Nissan LEAF (pictured above) was named the most popular battery electric vehicle in the UK  last year, after figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed the model secured a 70% share on the EV sale in September 2014.

According to the IMI's research, 55% of MPs think that technicians that earned their qualifications five or more years ago should have to demonstrate they are competent to work on modern vehicles.