More than a fifth of cars fail MOT tests in the UK, risking road safety, as reported by Wales Online. Last year, out of 43.7 million MOT tests conducted, 9.9 million vehicles did not meet legal standards, according to analysis by the RAC Foundation. MOT tests cover various vehicle parts such as lights, seatbelts, tyres, and brakes. If a “dangerous” or “major” problem is found, the vehicle fails the test.
The analysis revealed that 30 vehicles failed at least one test last year, with 24 or more serious faults. Shockingly, a 1997 Daihatsu Fourtrak had 29 such faults. Some unusual reasons for failures included a missing nearside front brake disc and a steering lock engaging mistakenly. The maximum fee for an MOT test is £54.85 for a car, not including repair costs.
The UK government considered extending the interval for new cars’ first MOT to four years but abandoned the plan due to safety concerns. RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding expressed concern over drivers taking vehicles for testing with obvious defects, highlighting the importance of annual roadworthiness checks. He emphasised that driving cars with significant faults endangers lives.
It’s alarming how many drivers may be unknowingly risking road safety by driving vehicles with lethal faults. Despite efforts to review MOT frequency, maintaining the annual check remains crucial for ensuring vehicles on the road meet safety standards. The data underscores the importance of regular MOT tests in keeping roads safe for all users.