A new poll conducted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has revealed that one-third of drivers admitted to taking to Britain’s roads without a valid MoT certificate for their vehicle.
In some instances those driving a vehicle without any MoT certificate have done so for six months or more.
The survey uncovered that men are more likely to drive a vehicle with no MoT than women and the worst location for MoT offences occurs in the South West of England.
Of the 1,000 survey participants, one-third had operated a motor vehicle without an MoT, with 67% of drivers confessing to driving without a valid certificate for up to seven days.
Furthermore, 24% revealed that they had driven a vehicle without an MoT certificate for up to 4 weeks, 7% for up to six months and 2% for over six months.
The questionnaire established that drivers in the East Midlands were the most efficient when it came to getting their vehicles in for an MoT on time, with just 14.6% of them admitting to driving without a valid MoT document.
Compared with their East Midland driving counterparts, 40.5% of South West England drivers confessed to driving without an MoT.
The poll also points out that young drivers are most likely to forget the test date for a vehicle MoT, with 39% of 18-24 year olds admitting that they had continued to drive past the expiration date of an MoT certificate.
Drivers aged between 45 and 54 years of age were found to be the most meticulous motorists, with just 28% admitting to driving without a valid MoT certificate.
Book Theory Test Today understands that the SMMT survey was conducted in partnership with a number of car manufacturers and their dealer networks located across Britain.
In a statement from SMMT interim Chief Executive, Mike Baunton, he said: “Each year, a significant proportion of motorists forget their car’s MoT, risking safety, fines and penalty points. Manufacturer main dealers are the best place to go to be sure of the most highly-trained technicians, using the parts manufacturers recommend along with the best diagnostic equipment.â€
In a statement from Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association, she said: “The statistics show that a number of motorists are driving vehicles without a valid MoT, which could result in genuine safety risks to them and other road users. For the motorist, a visit to their local franchised dealer will ensure the highest standard of customer care, in-depth training and knowledge of the vehicle and that their car meets all safety and legal requirements.â€
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