In this article, Matt Wrankmore, Head of Garage Network at FixMyCar, explores the benefits of staying aware of MOT requirements and deadlines, ensuring minimum downtime and unexpected delays to operations.
Matt Wrankmore
MOT testing is a cornerstone of road safety and compliance – but confusion around checks still abounds. New research shows that six in ten drivers are unsure when a new vehicle first needs an MOT, and more than half don’t fully understand what the test covers. Almost a third prefer to “leave it to the garage”.
The lack of clarity has consequences for both drivers and fleet operators. When drivers are uncertain about MOT requirements, it can lead to missed deadlines, unexpected downtime, and unnecessary costs.
The MOT knowledge gap causes serious issues but it also presents a significant opportunity for the fleet and garage sector. There’s a chance here for both to improve communications and provide clearer, more accessible information, to help drivers understand MOT requirements and keep vehicles safe, compliant, and roadworthy.
The MOT knowledge blind spot
The fact that MOT questions are part of the UK’s driving theory test shows how important MOT knowledge is to driving safely. But for many drivers, the test they took to gain their provisional licence is but a distant memory. With no obligation to refresh this knowledge further down the line, MOT awareness quickly fades.
This lack of awareness means many drivers are blithely buying and using vehicles with no real understanding of their roadworthiness. A 2021 AA poll of 15,000 drivers found that only around half of drivers carry out MOT and service history checks before buying a used car, and two in five say they do not feel at all confident judging a car’s mechanical condition before buying.
The safety implications of missed checks
Missed MOT checks put both compliance and vehicle safety at risk. One in six drivers who didn’t act on advisory notices following an MOT in the last 12 months (an estimated six million people) went on to experience a vehicle breakdown, or were involved in a collision as a result, the RAC recently reported. Drivers who miss checks and unknowingly operate vehicles with serious problems – or who have an MOT check but due to a lack of understanding don’t take advisories seriously – greatly increase the safety risk to themselves and other drivers.
This also causes big compliance issues for fleet operators, as businesses are liable for all vehicles used for work purposes – even if an employee is using their own car. Yet around a third (31%) of employees who use their private car for business-related journeys say they have not been asked to show a valid MOT certificate to their employer.
Better understanding minimises costs
MOT confusion can also make car maintenance much more expensive than it needs to be. When drivers don’t understand basic MOT requirements, they may be vulnerable to paying for unnecessary work. For businesses who are conscious of costs in a tough economic climate (the UK is set to experience the highest inflation among G7 nations this year), paying any more than necessary is disastrous even as a one-off, let alone consistently. Then there’s the aspect of last-minute costs: if drivers aren’t fully on top of their car maintenance, relying on garage knowledge only to steer them through, they’re likely to need more last-minute, more extensive repairs that involve costly rush fees and more intensive work. Playing catch-up with your car is both expensive and unsafe.
An opportunity for greater collaboration and communication
The partnership between informed drivers and skilled mechanics is what keeps the MOT system working effectively. So when drivers lack key knowledge this partnership begins to break down.
Both garages and fleet partners can collaborate, and foster greater trust, through better communication and smarter processes. There’s a responsibility for both parties to educate drivers, so the majority aren’t confused about when a vehicle first needs an MOT or what a test actually covers. Clearer, more accessible, non-intimidating MOT information – government websites are useful but can be daunting – will go a long way in helping drivers take control of car safety, reducing the risks and costs associated with unreliable cars.
These tests are an essential part of road safety and fleet maintenance. Yet too many behind the wheel have a glaring MOT blind spot. Taking the time to turn driver’s attention to this area, and engage and educate them, will help fleet operators reduce the risk of missed inspections, maintain operational efficiency, and avoid costly last-minute repairs.
