One third of motorists have driven without an MOT

Shocking new findings show that a third of motorists have driven a car knowing it has no MOT. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) surveyed 1,000 UK motorists and found that, of those that have driven a car without a valid MOT, 67 per cent admitted driving for up to a week before the retest, 24 per cent for up to a month, 7 per cent for up to six months and 2 per cent for more than six months.

By driving without an MOT, motorists risk fines of up to £1,000, as well as potentially invalidating their motor insurance, which itself counts as a driving offence carrying between six to eight penalty points. Cars older than three years also require a valid MOT before they can be taxed – with further fines for motorists who drive an untaxed car.

The research suggests men are more likely to continue driving after their MOT has lapsed – 35 per cent of all male drivers say they have done so, versus 31 per cent of female drivers.

There are significant regional differences in the findings. The East Midlands topped the table for remembering to carry out a car’s MOT, with just 15 per cent of motorists in the region saying they have driven a car without a valid MOT. At the opposite end of the spectrum, drivers in the South West were most likely to drive without an MOT, with 41 per cent admitting to forgetting (see full table below).

The findings also suggest that younger motorists are worst at remembering the test date, with 39 per cent of drivers aged 18-24 saying they have continued to drive after the MOT had expired. The most diligent motorists were 45-54 year-olds, with only 28 per cent saying the same.

To help motorists remember to have their car tested each year, SMMT has teamed up with the Trading Standards-approved garage network, Motor Codes, to offer car owners a free MOT service reminder. Available at www.passmymot.co.uk, the service will send motorists a reminder every year before their car’s annual test of roadworthiness is due.