Cornwall drivers urged to check MOT dates as millions miss theirs

When did you last check the date on your MOT certificate? For millions of drivers, the honest answer seems to be not recently enough.

Research commissioned by National Highways suggests around 4.5 million drivers missed or delayed their last MOT, which is 11% of UK driving licence holders. And an estimated 1.6 million of them carried on driving anyway.

How the South West compares

Drivers in the South West come out of the survey better than most. Here, 4% said they had missed their last MOT and 1% said they had delayed it, the lowest delay figure of any region listed.

London sits at the other end, with 12% missing their last MOT and 11% delaying it.

Servicing is a different picture. In the South West, 9% said they had missed their last service and another 9% had delayed it. Servicing is not a legal requirement, but National Highways says regular maintenance can pick up problems before they turn into more serious safety concerns.

“I thought it was safe”

Almost a quarter (24%) of drivers who missed their MOT date said they believed their vehicle was safe to drive.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) takes a different view. It says the later a vehicle is for its MOT, the more defects it develops, often making it unsafe.

Driving without a valid MOT certificate is illegal. The only exception is when you are travelling to a pre-booked MOT test.

Grant Thunder, Head of MOT at DVSA, said: “An MOT is a legal requirement for most vehicles over three years old and helps ensure they meet minimum safety and environmental standards at the time of testing.

“However, an MOT is not a guarantee that a vehicle will remain roadworthy throughout the year. Drivers are responsible for ensuring their vehicle is safe to drive at all times through regular checks and maintenance.

“Our free MOT reminder service makes it even easier for motorists to ensure they get their MOT done on time.”

The DVSA’s free MOT reminder service sends automatic messages to let you know when your car’s MOT is due.

📷Have a safe TRIP this autumn. Credit: National Highways

What to check before you set off

With darker nights and wetter weather arriving, National Highways is asking drivers to make sure their vehicle is roadworthy before heading out on the roads. Its autumn T.R.I.P. campaign breaks that down into four steps:

• Top-up fuel, oil and screenwash
• Rest before travelling
• Inspect tyres, lights and vehicle condition
• Prepare for the journey ahead

Colin Stevenson, Road Safety Information Lead at National Highways, said: “In autumn, vehicle preparation becomes even more important. Poor weather, reduced visibility and more challenging road conditions can all place additional demands on both drivers and vehicles.

“Simple checks before setting off, such as inspecting tyres, lights and fluid levels, can help reduce the risk of breakdowns and keep journeys safer. Keeping on top of MOTs and routine maintenance can also help drivers identify potential issues before they become bigger problems.”

The tyre problem most drivers have

Tyres are worth a second look. Research has estimated that 57% of tyres are underinflated by at least 4 PSI, which increases fuel consumption, noise and tyre wear.

National Highways says correct tyre pressures could help avoid more than 500,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year across England’s motorways and major A roads.

About the research

The survey for National Highways questioned 1,601 UK driving licence holders, with findings weighted to be representative. The 4.5 million and 1.6 million figures are extrapolated from that sample, and National Highways says they should be treated as indicative estimates.

📷BURY ST EDMUNDS, UK - 23 April, 2015: Vehicle's annual road worthiness check centre in Bury St Edmunds, England