Most common reasons Brits drive without an MOT
All British drivers know that once a year it’s imperative that they book their car in for its annual MOT, where everything from lamps to suspension is checked to ensure the vehicle is road worthy. However, with as many as one in ten (11%) motorists admitting to having driven without an MOT, it’s clear it’s incredibly easy to forget to get your car booked in.
We carried out a survey of 2,000 motorists to reveal the main reasons people forget to book their MOT, how long people have driven without an MOT and whether motorists are aware of what the consequences of driving without one may be.
One in ten Brits have driven without a valid MOT
Our research reveals that as many as one in 10 (11%) UK motorists have admitted to driving without a valid MOT certificate. Those aged 17 to 24 are the biggest culprits, as 19% have said that they have driven without an MOT, compared to only 6% of those aged 55+.
Of those that have driven without a valid MOT, it took an average of six weeks before noticing.
Liverpool motorists have driven for the longest period of time without a valid MOT
It was found that drivers from Liverpool that have driven without an MOT do so for an average of nine weeks before realising or being made aware, followed by drivers in Cardiff and Leeds going eight weeks before noticing.
| City | Average number of weeks driving without a valid MOT |
|---|---|
| Liverpool | 9 |
| Cardiff | 8 |
| Leeds | 8 |
| Norwich | 7 |
| London | 7 |
| Birmingham | 7 |
| Newcastle | 6 |
| Manchester | 6 |
| Nottingham | 6 |
| Brighton | 5 |
At the other end of the scale, it was found that drivers from Southampton (one week), Belfast (two weeks), and Edinburgh (two weeks) have driven for the shortest periods of time without a valid MOT before realising.
Forgetting to note the day the MOT expired was the most common reason for driving without a valid MOT
According to British drivers, forgetting to note the day the MOT expired (34%) was the most common reason behind driving without a valid MOT certificate. This was followed by forgetting to check when it expired, (26%) getting an extension due to the pandemic and losing track of when it ran out (19%).
| Reason | Percentage of drivers that had this reasoning for driving without an MOT |
|---|---|
| Forgot to note the day it expired | 34% |
| Forgot to check when it expired | 26% |
| Got an extension due to the pandemic and lost track of when it ran out | 19% |
| Wouldn’t be able to afford the work the car needed for it to pass | 18% |
| It’s not my responsibility to make sure the car’s MOT test is valid | 16% |
| I don’t drive that often so didn’t think it was necessary | 15% |
| Couldn’t afford an appointment | 15% |
| Couldn’t get an appointment in time | 13% |
| My partner forgot to remind me | 8% |
It was also found that not being able to afford an appointment (15%), not being able to get an appointment in time (13%), and not having their partner remind them (8%) were additional common reasons for driving without an MOT.
Only two-thirds of UK drivers are completely aware of the consequences of driving without a valid MOT
The consequence of driving without a valid MOT can lead to a fine of up to £1,000, so when asked whether they’re aware of the consequences, as many as 32% are either only slightly aware, or completely unaware.
Although one in 10 Brits have driven without an MOT and spent an average of six weeks doing so, the majority of drivers (67%) said that they are “fully aware” of the consequences they could face for driving without a valid MOT certificate.
If you’re struggling to remember when your MOT is due to expire, the Government do have a tool where you can get a free text or email reminder to let you know one month before it’s due.
Methodology
The survey data used in this study is based on a survey of 2,271 UK drivers (17+) that took place in April 2022
Sources
Fine for driving without a valid MOT certificate - Highway Code Penalty Table
What’s included in an MOT - Government Guidance: Car Parts Checked at an MOT