A new study has shown significant gaps in driver understanding of MOT requirements, with a majority unsure when their vehicle needs its first annual safety check.
According to research from FixMyCar, only 39.1% of those asked correctly knew that new cars require an MOT after three years, and then every year after. Worringly, 15.1% believes the test was needed after one year, while 21.9% admitted they had no idea when the first test would be due.
With the MOT subject to continuous government interference in recent years, this may have led some drivers to be confused around the rules regarding requirements. With each announcement of a consultation resulting in mass media coverage, while results generate less awareness, it is easy for drivers to be confused. Worryingly, some may believe the change to a four-year first check has been put in place.
Not understanding the MOT
A separate survey of over 300 drivers revealed that more than 50% of drivers do not fully understand what is being checked during an MOT, with 29.5% preferring to “leave it to the garage”. These results point to a lack of awareness that could lead to both safety risks and unnecessary costs.
Many items that are checked as part of the MOT are easy to look at during the intervening year, such as tyres, lighting, and fluid levels. These areas need to be monitored, as leaving these until the annual check could cause a serious safety issue.
“These findings highlight a serious knowledge gap that could impact both road safety and drivers’ wallets,” stated Matt Wrankmore, Head of Garage Network at FixMyCar, “When drivers do not understand basic MOT requirements, they may be paying for unnecessary work while failing to appreciate the critical safety role played by the annual check. However, this is more than just a cost issue. It is also a road safety issue we need to stay mindful of.”
The 3-1-1 system
Under current UK legislation, new cars are exempt from MOTs for the first three years. After that annual tests are required to test key systems, such as brakes, lights, steering, suspension, tyres, and emissions, to ensure they meet legal safety standards.
“An MOT test is fundamentally about keeping vehicles safe and roadworthy,” continued Wrankmore, “It covers everything from brakes and lights to emissions and structural integrity. The partnership between informed drivers and skilled mechanics is what keeps this system working effectively. While drivers are asked questions about MOTs in their theory test to achieve a provisional licence, for many drivers this test is a distant memory, and we see this loss of knowledge in our survey.”
This data comes as FixMyCar launches a new MOT Checker for drivers to help them stay on top of their personal MOT requirements. The system allows vehicle owners to see when their test is due, and advises on the earliest time they can book, to keep their current cycle running.
