Drivers Facing Large Fines for Not Having a Valid MOT
Figures provided by Motoring Research have shown that police have stopped over 68,000 vehicles without a valid MOT since new test changes were implemented in May 2018.
What changed?
- Defects are categorised differently
- Stricter rules for diesel car emissions
- New things are included in the MOT
- The MOT certificate changed
- Certain vehicles over 40 years old won’t need an MOT
You can find the full details regarding these changes here
The usual charge for being caught without an MOT is around £100, however this can be as much as £1,000 if the case gets taken to court. If drivers are caught driving with a ‘dangerous’ MOT classification then they can face penalties as high as £2,500.
Since these changes were implemented the Treasury is estimated to have made approximately £6 million. (Figures obtained by Halfords, via a Freedom of Information Request)
Halfords put people’s knowledge to the test by conducting a survey of 2,000 motorists. They found that 22% had driven a car without an MOT either because they had forgotten or didn’t know it was due. 7% didn’t know when their MOT was due at the time of the survey.
They also asked the drivers what they thought classed as a fail. 71% were not aware that something as simple as running out of water in your windscreen washer bottle classed as a fail. 60% didn’t know that windscreen stickers could result in a fail if they were deemed as ‘obstructing the drivers view’ and 56% of drivers thought that they would pass with under-inflated tyres.
The study highlighted a knowledge gap among drivers with regards to road safety, with one third being unaware that they could face up to a £1,000 fine for not having a valid MOT, with an MOT test currently costing only £54.85.
You can easily book your MOT by following our simple 4 step process here.