DRIVERS have been warned about huge fines for driving without MOTs.
March is the busiest month of the year for MOTs – but many drivers are struggling to afford the mandatory vehicle inspection due to the cost of living crisis.
Drivers have been warned about huge fines for driving without MOTsAlamy
A new study revealed one in six (17%) drivers with MOTs due in March say they won’t be able to pay for them.
Most worrying of all, the vast majority (71%) say they will continue to drive their vehicle anyway – breaking the law and risking fines of up to £2,500 and three points on their licence.
And more significantly, putting their own safety and that of other road users at risk.
The figures – from Halfords – show that, with approximately 3.3million MOTs due in March, this could lead to around 406,000 additional vehicles without an MOT being driven on UK roads.
DVSA figures show the current MOT failure rate stands at 28.5%.
This means that this March, we are set to see at least 115,000 potentially dangerous vehicles on our roads that would typically have failed the MOT inspection.
Halfords CEO Graham Stapleton said: “The data shows that March is set to be the worst month we have ever seen when it comes to cars on our roads without an MOT.
“MOTs are vital, annual safety checks that take place on vehicles that are three years old or more.
“It’s not about ticking boxes – MOTs check things such as if there is enough tread on tyres or if brakes are working correctly.
“Around three in ten of the vehicles owned by people planning to skip their MOT are likely to be unroadworthy – possibly more as those who avoid an MOT could be more likely to take less care of their vehicle in general and replace things such as tyres in good time.
“The fact that so many could be driving their kids to school in vehicles without an MOT is a genuine worry.
“The bottom line is that it is not worth the risk – not just of a fine and points, but of endangering yourself or others.”