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With half (50%) of motorists putting car buying plans on hold during the current recession, and keeping their existing vehicles for longer, responsible car maintenance should be high up on a motorist's agenda.
However, new research from uSwitch.com's Motorist Opinion Panel reveals that forgetful motorists are driving the gauntlet, with 4.7 million missing their MOT renewal date.
Collectively, these absent-minded motorists are creating a hole in the industry's bank balance to the tune of &poond;21 million for every month their certificate remains overdue.
Drivers too slow
Worryingly, many of these motorists aren't quick to rectify their error, with only half (52%) booking their car in for an MOT within a week of the expiry date, while over a third (36%) take up to a month, and one in ten (12%) taking anything up to 12 months.
In addition, two-thirds (64%) admitted to continuing to drive their car illegally past the expiry date. Not only are these motorists jeopardising their own safety by driving a potentially un-roadworthy vehicle, they are also risking a prosecution for driving without a valid MOT which in turn invalidates the insurance policy.
The majority (79%) of those motorists who miss their MOT renewal date put it down to sheer forgetfulness, whilst 11% are thrown by a change of vehicle. Over 6 million (25%) drivers rely on their local garage or car dealership to remind them when their MOT is up for renewal, however not all extend this courtesy as they are under no obligation.
Despite 12 million drivers (51%) stating they would like to receive a reminder for their next MOT, there is currently no official reminder service in place. uSwitch.com, calls for the implementation of a reminder initiative, in a similar vein to the reminders issued by the DVLA when a motorist's VED (road tax) is due, or when insurance providers alert policy holders when their insurance is up for renewal.
It is likely that such a scheme would provide opportunity for the Government to hike the cost of an MOT even further; unwelcome news for motorists who have already had to absorb an inflation-busting 88% increase in MOT costs (from £28.66 to current level of £54.00) over the last 12 years.
Consequences of driving without an MOT
Driving without a valid MOT certificate is an offence under Section 47 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, and, although conviction for this offence will not result in penalty points being placed on a driving licence, it carries a maximum fine of £1000. What's more, driving without a valid MOT certificate automatically invalidates the insurance policy and should a driver be involved in an accident, they themselves would have to foot the bill for the damages, amounting to an average of £2,450.
In addition a policy holder prosecuted of this offence can expect to see their premiums rise by around 43%. Worse still, considering that 21.6% of three-year old cars fail their first MOT test, drivers are jeopardising the safety of themselves, their passengers, and other road users by running the risk of getting behind the wheel of a potentially un-roadworthy vehicle.
