A new report published by the RAC reveals that drivers are skipping the MOT and not replacing defective tyres to save money.
Young drivers are most likely to delay necessary repairs or tyre replacements on financial grounds: 25% of those under 25 and 21% of drivers in the 25-44 age group say they have done so, compared to just 5% of drivers aged 65 and older.
Among drivers of all ages, 3% have deliberately avoided their MOT, a legal requirement which guarantees that the vehicle is fit to be on the road.
And 7% admit they’ve failed to replace worn out tyres, which is breaking the law if they fall below the 1.6mm minimum.
MOT Tests Explained
All cars require an annual MOT after 3 years up to 40 years old, when they are exempt under ‘historic vehicle’ status.
MOT fees are capped at £54.85 for cars and £29.65 for a motorcycle. Costs can (and do) spiral if a car fails an MOT if essential repairs are identified as dangerous and need fixing immediately.
You are responsible for ensuring your vehicle is examined every 12 months. Without an MOT certificate, you will be unable to renew your road tax. Having a current MOT certificate is also a legal requirement in the UK.
Driving without a valid MOT usually invalidates your car insurance policy. You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving without an MOT and up to £2,500 for driving a car that has failed its MOT.
MOT Nominated Testers are qualified to assess your vehicle against specific safety criteria and to pass it as acceptable and safe, or not. The acceptable standards are as recorded in the current Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) Vehicle Inspection Manual.
The assessment is based on the state of the vehicle on the day. The Nominated Tester cannot fail a vehicle on the basis that its condition will get worse and not be acceptable in the near future.
An individual part of the vehicle may be considered to be beyond its serviceable life by a motor mechanic, but still be deemed safe and therefore acceptable to pass the MOT Test by a Nominated Tester, applying the test criteria.
You can book an MOT up to 28 days in advance of its due date. It is not widely known that the expiry date on your new MOT is 12 months from the expiry of your old one. This means you could have an MOT that last 13 months.
RAC breakdown spokesperson Simon Williams said:
“It’s concerning that so many drivers appear to be risking breaking the law by not having a valid MOT or driving on bald tyres. With the average repair bill climbing to almost £700, it’s little wonder that so many people are finding it difficult to make ends meet. But kicking the can down the road and delaying repairs to your vehicle or putting them off altogether is a false economy. Often, it makes the problem worse, which can lead to a more expensive bill down the line.
“More importantly, it may mean that your vehicle is unsafe and illegal to drive. Bald tyres drastically increase the risk of a collision as they increase stopping distances, and are at greater risk of unexpected blowouts.”
Skipping MOT tests and ignoring essential repairs – a false economy
Skipping MOT tests, ignoring essential repairs, delaying services and not replacing defective tyres is a false economy.
Prevention is better (and cheaper) than cure.
You should regularly check your tyre pressures.
Look on the inside of the driver’s door frame for a label, the vehicle handbook or a Google search for correct tyre pressure settings.
I carry a digital tyre pressure gauge and a plug-in tyre compressor so I can check anywhere without having to pay to use garage machines.
Tyres are the only contact your vehicle has with the road. You put yourself and others at risk by not regularly checking your tyres and replacing them when necessary.
You can check your tyres quickly and easily at home. Remember to ACT:
Air Pressure
Condition
Tread depth
You can also avoid common MOT failures by doing some easy checks and fixes beforehand. The most common MOT fails are lights and bulbs, suspension, brakes and tyres.
Check lights and bulbs, brakes, wiper blades and tyres regularly to ensure you are safe and legal on the road.
It is relatively easy to replace wiper blades by looking at YouTube videos.
Running a car is more expensive than ever. There are many ways to save money on car insurance, which is the biggest expense.
Find a garage and mechanic you know and trust. Treat them the way you like to be treated! Build up a good rapport and relationship. They are more likely to help you and waive small costs if they know you and treat them well.
What are your thoughts on drivers skipping MOT tests and not replacing defective tyres to save money?
These are my tips on how to keep motoring costs down. Can you add anything to this?
