The motor industry is campaigning against changes to the car testing regime, highlighting safety risks that potential changes to the MoT system could cause.

Drivers would collectively save £100m a year under proposals being consulted on by the government to delay when a new car needs its first MoT test to check its roadworthiness from the current three years to four. The requirement for annual tests after that would remain.

Such a change would mean a financial hit to the industry in lost test fees, with about 2.5m cars taking their first test each year at a typical cost of about £45 for the checks which measure cars’ emissions levels, as well as safety and roadworthiness. Other revenue generated from replacement parts and labour would also be delayed.