Half-yearly inspections should not apply for all goods vehicles

I refer to the letter “Half-yearly inspections necessary for goods vehicles older than 10 years” (Aug 20).

The Land Transport Authority stated that goods vehicles have an average annual mileage of about 40,000km and are subject to more wear and tear than cars.

But are cars that clock above 40,000km a year subjected to half-yearly inspections? Many cars can travel long distances to Malaysia whereas most Singapore commercial vehicles are not permitted into Malaysia, for example.

Also, cars do not have a statutory lifespan and their Certificate of Entitlement (COE) can be renewed indefinitely. On the other hand, older off-peak cars sitting in car parks most of the time would have less wear and tear than a newer normal car.

Thus, a vehicle’s mileage, not its age, is ultimately more appropriate for determining the frequency of inspections.

Not all goods vehicles cover 40,000km annually, so why is it so difficult to separate those that do and apply the half-yearly inspections accordingly?

Owners of goods vehicles are being hit hard. Another example is the 30 per cent increase in road tax after the first 10 years. Do goods vehicles use the roads more after the COE is renewed?

This and the half-yearly inspections are added costs for those who cannot afford a new vehicle because Category C prices are at an all-time high.