Pafos Live 3 October 2025
As of today, Friday, October 3, the suspension of the validity of the Certificate of Suitability (MOT) for thousands of vehicles that have not implemented the recall for the replacement of a defective airbag comes into effect.
The suspension concerns vehicles for which the 8-month deadline set by Circular 8/2025, in February, has passed.
According to yesterday's announcement by the Department of Road Transport (TOM) of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, the first wave of suspensions will be implemented from October 3 to 30, 2025, with a different date per vehicle brand, based on the data submitted by the manufacturing companies.
Affected owners can view the recall deadline for their vehicle on the Ministry's website: www.gov.cy/mtcw
Despite extensive information campaigns, around 16,900 vehicles - i.e. 20% of the original figure of 81,000 - have not yet undergone airbag replacement.
Toyota and Honda have the highest number of non-responses, with 5,000 and 2,000 vehicles, respectively.
The TOM clarified that no extension will be given in cases where no appointment has been made.
However, for those who already have an appointment scheduled in October, replacement will be allowed until the appointment date, but no later than October 31, 2025.
The 8-month deadline was adopted as an exception to the general period of 18 months, due to the seriousness of the risk, as in some cases the manufacturers had issued instructions for the immediate immobilization of vehicles.
The TOM called on owners who have difficulty locating an authorized workshop or spare parts to contact the Department's call center for guidance.
In addition, the TOM, noting that, given that disabled vehicles serve special mobility needs, calls on those owners who have not yet secured an appointment to replace the airbag, to contact the Department of Road Transport immediately, at the call center (tel. 22-600500).
For all vehicle owners who have already arranged an appointment to implement the recall within the month of October, they will be given the opportunity to proceed with the implementation until the date of their appointment, but no later than October 31, 2025, he noted.
The Department of Road Transport pointed out that it will examine each case as a matter of priority and is in communication with the companies, with the aim of supporting disabled vehicle users and ensuring their mobility.
