Thousands of drivers in Cyprus have been left without a vehicle since November 19, following the cancellation of their MOT roadworthiness certificates due to the Takata defective airbag issue. A significant number of those affected remain outside any framework of state support.
According to data submitted by vehicle companies to the Road Transport Department, the MOT certificate had been suspended for a total of 10,782 vehicles by October 31, 2025. Of these, 4,327 owners had secured an appointment for airbag replacement by the end of January 2026.
For this specific group, the Council of Ministers approved a set of support measures. However, eligibility is explicitly conditional on having a confirmed replacement appointment.
Who qualifies for support
Under the approved scheme, drivers with confirmed appointments are entitled to free access to public transport until the end of January, provided their vehicle is immobilised and they do not own another car.
In addition, low income pensioners, Guaranteed Minimum Income beneficiaries, single parent and large families, as well as owners of vehicles adapted for people with disabilities, are eligible for financial support of €100 per week until the date of their scheduled appointment.
Spare part shortages and blocked appointments
However, according to an official of the Road Transport Department, in a large number of cases the authorised representatives have not procured the necessary spare parts for approximately two months. As a result, hundreds of drivers are unable even to secure an appointment, despite having had their MOT certificate revoked and their vehicles rendered unusable.
The same official noted that the issue affects the majority of cases within this category, while it is not possible to determine precisely how many vehicles ultimately managed to replace the airbags and reissue their MOT certificate. For those unable to book an appointment due to the lack of spare parts, the support measures do not apply.
A policy gap leaves drivers stranded
At the same time, the financial burden and inconvenience are borne entirely by the drivers themselves, without any meaningful assistance. The eligibility criteria for support measures clearly state that beneficiaries must have a scheduled airbag replacement appointment.
Yet, according to the vehicle representatives themselves, spare parts are not currently available in Cyprus, making it impossible for many drivers to secure an appointment in the first place.
In practice, these car owners find themselves in a complete deadlock. The ministry maintains that it cannot intervene beyond the existing framework, while the authorised representatives remain unable to provide a solution. As a result, hundreds of citizens continue to be left without a means of transport for months, with no clear timeline for resolution and no financial relief.