Number of cars with expired MOT is on the up, garages report

91 per cent of garages report an increase in the number of customers bringing in cars that have an expired MOT

Number of cars with expired MOT is on the up, garages report
Drivers can also be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT. Image: Bigstock.

More than 90 per cent of garages have seen an increase in the number of customers bringing in cars that have an expired MOT, according to a new report from the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) and Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA).

The increase followed the Government’s changes to road tax in 2014, when the system was digitalised and the paper tax disc was abolished.

Now that the system has been digitalised consumers who pay for their road tax monthly receive no reminders that their tax is due, and therefore potentially forget to MOT their car.

Dramatic increase

Stuart James, RMI Director said: “In the short space of time since the road tax changes were put in place, the percentage of consumers that are unaware when their car’s MOT has expired has increased dramatically.

“As a result, motorists who wouldn’t normally seek to break the law are unwittingly becoming criminals.”

It means that road users could unknowingly be driving their vehicle without a valid MOT, becoming a danger on the road to themselves, passengers, other drivers and pedestrians.

Drivers can also be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT.

The survey results found that 43.8 per cent of the trade had noticed a significant increase in MOTs where the vehicle is out of test since the road tax changes came in, and 91.2 per cent overall had seen an increase of some kind.

MOT reminders

Many of the comments from garage owners say that an MOT reminder service is something their business has had to provide to customers themselves, but they believe it should be the Government’s responsibility.

Sandy Burgess, SMTA Chief Executive said: “In light of our results, we strongly recommend that the Government introduce an official reminder service that tells motorists when their vehicle’s MOT is due.

“This will reduce confusion from consumers and ensure more aren’t unknowingly becoming criminals, and it will also take the pressure away from small businesses to remind their customers of their MOT renewal date.

“Most importantly, it will improve road safety in the UK.”

For more information about the RMI, select ‘more details’ below.

Have you seen an increase in the number of cars with an already expired MOT? Leave your comments and concerns below.

2 Comments

  1. MOT reminders are available from the Government website as a car owner, however that doesn’t help the MOT Stations / Garage owners retain their customers loyalty each year. Without sending a gentle reminder the public could go elsewhere.

    Reply
  2. MOT reminders are available from the Government website as a car owner, however that doesn’t help the MOT Stations / Garage owners retain their customers loyalty each year. Without sending a gentle reminder the public could go elsewhere.

    Reply

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