Good points guys, Dave I would hope the computerisation will mean that garages will charge full price for the MOT test and for the retest. Garages will now be forced to test the whole car again and the £39.50 is a fair price to pay to ensure the car is safe.
Rob, I totally agree with the emmissions, why should people with new cars (up to 3 years old) be almost exempt from emmission regulations? The 30,000 thing would be impossible to police but I get your point.
It is ironic, however, the catalyst reduces the Carbon Monoxide, Hydrocarbons, Oxygen but increases Carbon Dioxide as a by product And Carbon Dioxide is a greenhouse gas destroying the ozone layer!
I also think it would be good to introduce the EOBD test as done in some parts of europe and some US states (OBD/II). This would be a quick simple check of the control systems and would generate more business for the type of guys using this forum.