Half of MOT fails avoidable
Motorists could avoid nearly half their MOT failures by carrying out routine maintenance.
The latest MOT testing data for Great Britain found that nearly a third of faults recorded at MOT tests were the result of bulbs not being replaced. A further 10% were for faulty tyres with 8.5% of failures relating to windscreen wipers and obstructed viewing caused by stickers etc.
Regular, simple checks could drastically reduce the number initial MOT failures, which stood at 38% of the 28 million MOTs carried out last year.
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) chief executive Paul Satoor, said, ‘You shouldn’t wait for your MOT to check if your car needs maintenance. All drivers have a responsibility to make sure their vehicle is properly maintained and safe to drive at all times.
‘Carrying out simple checks on items such as lights and tyres will help motorists to stay safe and legal, as well as saving time and money when their vehicle is due its MOT.’
The DVSA has put together four top tips to help drivers pass their MOT first time:
- Check that all lights work, tap them to make sure they’re not loose.
- Ensure brakes are smooth and even.
- Check tyres are the same size with 1.6mm of tread.
- Ensure windscreen wipers and washers work, and that the driver’s view isn’t obstructed.
