Motorists risking MOT lapses

Nearly a third of motorists fail to book their MOT in advance, risking driving in dangerously defective cars and being hit with penalties if caught. With money tight, new research from Kwik-Fit reveals that drivers are waiting until they need to show an MOT certificate to renew it or are waiting for the maximum period they can to extend the longevity of their new test certificate.

Police data shows that the combination of driver memory lapses and those deliberately delaying renewal means that as many as 10% per cent of cars on UK roads may not have a valid MOT.

While many driver may think there is little harm in delaying their test, Kwik-Fit’s data shows that many of the cars coming in for an MOT have seriously dangerous faults.  A massive 40 per cent of all cars fail their annual MOT, with average vehicle failing the test doing so on more than three issues.   The five most common reasons for failure are:

1.      Lighting and signalling defects

2.      Suspension defects

3.      Defective brakes

4.      Illegal tyres

5.      Impaired drivers view of the road

David White, customer services director at Kwik Fit, said:  “If car owners are used to their car regularly passing the MOT with no problems, they may view an MOT simply as a piece of paper they need in order to get their car taxed.  However, the statistics show that the test plays a vital role in identifying defects on a car that render it unroadworthy and unsafe to drive. 

“It also provides a warning of items which will shortly become unsafe by highlighting them as ‘advisory’.  This allows owners to rectify defects before they cause a problem, enabling them to drive with confidence in the safety of their car.  

“With more police forces across the UK using cameras to automatically scan number plates, and linking to the national vehicle database, those drivers who have forgotten to renew their MOT could be in for a rude awakening.”

Kwik Fit is the UK’s leading MOT tester, carrying out more tests than any other organisation. Drivers can register for a free email reminder for when their test is due, by sending their name, vehicle registration and MOT renewal date to remindme@kwik-fit.com.

With September the busiest month of the year for MOTs, drivers are advised not to leave it to the last minute.  Motorists can use Kwik Fit’s online booking system to make an appointment at their nearest centre and ensure they don’t end up with a gap between their MOTs.

Author: Faye Sunderland, September 7th, 2011
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