A MHK’s call for MoT-styled tests for cars to be introduced to the island was shut down by the Home Affairs Minister.

As last week’s Manx Independent reported, Ralph Peake MHK failed to win support from the minister, Bill Malarkey MHK, in Tynwald to make regular MoT checks part of the vehicle licensing system.

Mr Malarkey said the introduction wouldn’t guarantee a reduction in defects spotted during the annual police winter checks, which he believes encourages people to take responsibilty to fix problems including minor defects that a MoT wouldn’t prevent like broken light bulbs.

Members of the public, however, seem to disagree as we found out when getting their views in Strand Street, Douglas.

’We were just talking about how it’s about time they introduced it here,’ said Josie Moffatt, 59, nodding to her daughter Molly, 18.

The Douglas resident added: ’ I would feel a lot safer having MoTs in the island.

’When your car comes from across you know it was going to be kept up to scratch each year.’

She thinks having the MoTs could help the police focus on other important jobs.

’MoTs cost, but at the end of the day it’s not just your life, but other people’s as well. My daughter is learning to drive, I want her to be safe to,’ she said.

Harry Colville from Ramsey said: ’There definitely should be MoT tests. I’ve seen cars that wouldn’t pass a MoT test across with tyres in very poor condition.’

He is also concerned about the ’culture of driving’, as some motorists ignore the speed limits and do not adhere to other road rules.

Ben Davenport from Douglas said: ’Some of the cars are dreadful around the island. I know some people cannot afford new cars, but it’s dangerous.

’When I came over, I put my car in for a test in the Isle of Man and was told "right, that’s fine" and when I asked when do I need to bring it back, the reply was "you don’t".

’There could be something drastically wrong and it could cause a massive issue.’

The 34-year-old added that the police were not checking every car and therefore possibly miss big issues.

’I was used to having an MoT every year and it’s not an inconvenience at all,’ he added.

Shona Thomson, 56, who visited from Inverness for a reunion with Manx friends, said: ’Some people here must be driving some absolute old bangers.’

Having owned a garage, she said: ’We used to get cars coming into the garage in Scotland and you would think: "Oh my gosh! You could kill somebody driving in this."

’Having MoTs is also good business for garages - think of the money you would generate for the economy. You wouldn’t be spending much on your MoT.’

Her friend, Rosemary Quirk, 56, from Onchan, said: ’You see some awful states of cars going around. Some of them are like tin cans! I think we should have MoTs. That way you know you’re safe to drive it. I don’t think the police winter checks are enough.’

Roger Nield, 65, from Douglas, thinks having MoTs instead of police checks would save the tax payer money.

’Police wouldn’t have to bother with winter checks,’ he said.