Kwik-Fit Asks: Are You an MOT Virgin?

Four decades ago Jimi Hendrix asked us all, in song, the question ‘are you experienced?’ – and it seems the answer may well be a resounding ‘no’. According to Kwik-Fit, many of us are by no means experienced when it comes to the periodic inspections our vehicles require: Some two million UK motorists remain, in the fast fit specialist’s own words, MOT virgins.

To qualify for virginal status, at least in regards to MOT inspections, a person must have never kept hold of a car long enough to have put it through an Mot test. As previously mentioned, more that a few motorists have yet to have their first-time experience. And on top of these, a further one million drivers haven’t put a car through an MOT inspection for at least a decade.

In recent times, these motorists have avoided the need for an MOT by choosing to trade in their existing car for a new model before it reaches the three-year threshold – when all cars are legally required to take an annual MOT. But, as Kwik-Fit warns, with the credit crunch continuing to have a negative effect on new car sales, many of these MOT avoiders might be unable to escape a test in 2009, as more and more motorists are choosing to keep hold of their car for longer than three years.

But don’t be anxious, MOT virgins. Kwik-Fit says it is on hand to provide the following tips and guidance to help you get through the process:

Have confidence: There is a good chance of a first time pass. It’s not all doom and gloom, according to VOSA statistics, 67 per cent of cars pass their MOTs first time.

Book online to make life easier: Kwik-Fit says that by visiting www.kwik-fit.com, motorists can book an MOT at their local centre at a time convenient to them, which means the days of phoning around to find a garage that can fit motorists in are gone.

Keep it close to home: Kwik-Fit is also now the largest MOT provider in the country with over 400 centres nationwide, which means motorists all over the country can find a centre in their local area.

Seek out value for money: Not all MOT inspection prices are equal. For example, Kwik-Fit says that motorists booking online can get an MOT for £43 – a 20 per cent on the new VOSA recommended price of £53.10. Inspections booked over the phone or in-centre cost £48.

“With new car sales sliding, 2009 looks set to be the year that MOT Virgins come of age. Many of them will experience their very first MOT – or at least their first in a long time,” comments David White, customer services director at Kwik-Fit. “Motorists who haven’t MOT’d their car in a while might be amazed to know that Kwik-Fit is now the UK’s leading MOT chain. Better still, an MOT is only £20 when booked with our credit crunch beating full vehicle service.”