More than one in five vehicle MOT tests in Britain ended in failure last year, according to new figures from motoring research charity the RAC Foundation. Out of the 43.7 million tests conducted in 2023, 9.9 million were unsuccessful. MOTs assess various vehicle parts such as lights, seatbelts, tyres, and brakes to ensure they meet legal standards. Vehicles fail if a “dangerous” or “major” problem is found, with some cars exhibiting multiple faults.
Last year, 30 vehicles failed at least one test, with 24 or more of them showing significant faults. An example included a 1997 Daihatsu Fourtrak that had 29 “dangerous” or “major” faults. Some unusual reasons for failures were identified, such as a missing brake disc, the steering lock engaging unintentionally, and the spare wheel being at risk of detachment. The maximum fee for an MOT is £54.85 for a car, excluding repair costs.
In January 2023, the UK government proposed delaying the first MOT requirement for new cars, motorbikes, and vans to four years, instead of the current three-year interval. However, after considering responses from drivers and industry stakeholders citing safety concerns, the plans were unchanged. RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding highlighted that vehicles can fail MOTs for over 600 different reasons, emphasizing the importance of ensuring roadworthiness.
Gooding expressed concern over drivers taking cars for testing with obvious defects like missing brakes, indicating a need for regular roadworthiness checks. He noted that some individuals might be driving vehicles with potentially hazardous faults simply because their next MOT is not yet due. These findings underscore the significance of regular MOT tests to maintain vehicle safety on the roads.