Engineers warn against easing age limit on imported vehicles

In a written statement, the chamber said older vehicles may have reached the end of their economic life, lack modern safety technology or have uncertain maintenance histories, and urged the public not to choose them simply because they are cheaper.
It said years of effort to improve the safety of the vehicle fleet could be undermined if the current age restrictions were relaxed.
The chamber added that the risks posed by older vehicles had already been raised with the Prime Minister in a presentation on traffic and road safety, including the potential consequences in serious crashes.
It also argued that those responsible for approving, inspecting and registering imported vehicles share responsibility for ensuring unsafe vehicles are not allowed onto the roads.
The chamber said any changes to import rules should be based on clear technical and scientific criteria rather than political or commercial considerations.
“Because a cheap vehicle can one day come at a very heavy cost,” the statement said.
“Road safety is not a luxury. Human life cannot be negotiated away.”