A TELEVISION presenter and qualified mechanic has welcomed the ending of MOT exemptions.

Tests will be reintroduced from August 1, the Department for Transport has announced.

Dr Mike Leahy, from South Oxfordshire, previously criticised the scheme which saw vehicle owners granted a six-month exemption.

The former BBC presenter, who is also a virologist, said: “As traffic increases after the lockdown, the potential for disaster on the roads would have been significant had the extension been kept in place, and the number of dangerous vehicles increased further.”

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Dr Leahy is also a freelance MOT tester at DJ Matthews MOT centre in Didcot.

Lee Matthews, from the garage, said: “We are expecting to open during evenings and weekends to deal with any increase in MOT numbers, and guarantee that we will be able to carry out MOT tests without delay.

“Vehicle owners can present their vehicle for an MOT up to a month before the expiry date.

“The MOT certificate will still be valid for one year from the expiry date rather than the date of the MOT appointment itself, effectively giving the owner up to thirteen months MOT.”