Around 4.1 million vehicles failed the MOT in 2023. Of those that failed, 21.5% had faults in the emission control system, two percentage points more than the figure recorded a year earlier, according to the analysis carried out by the Spanish Association of Collaborating Entities of the Administration in the Technical Inspection of Vehicles (AECA-ITV) based on data published by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism.
Although last year 81.1% of the almost 22 million vehicles that underwent the ITV test obtained a positive result, the increase in polluting cars has generated concern among authorities and experts, especially in a context where the average age of the vehicle fleet in Spain exceeds 15.4 years and continues to increase, according to Guillermo Magaz , managing director of AECA-ITV.
Although lighting and signage remain the main cause of vehicle refusals at the MOT, with 22.8% of serious defects detected in this area, polluting emissions have climbed to second place among the causes of refusals. “This figure shows the key role played by the MOT in improving air quality , identifying those vehicles whose emissions exceed the limits set by the regulations,” said Magaz, recalling that the MOT contributes to avoiding at least 575 premature deaths each year related to pollution.
Problems with axles, wheels, tyres and suspension are the third most common reasons for rejection, accounting for 20.5% of serious defects. These problems directly affect the safety of the vehicle on the road, highlighting the importance of the MOT to detect and correct these faults before they can cause accidents.
The MOT plays a crucial role not only in road safety, but also in the fight against pollution . In a context where air quality is at the heart of environmental concerns, the control of emissions from cars and other types of vehicles is essential. With an increasingly ageing vehicle fleet and a high percentage of vehicles that do not comply with emissions regulations, experts stress the need to strengthen the MOT and improve driver awareness.
Source: https://www.infobae.com/
