What is MOT?
The MOT test is a yearly checking that ensures your vehicle fulfils environmental and road safety laws. On the third anniversary of the registration, the first test will be done.
What does MOT stand for?
Ministry of Transport is referred to as MOT. When the test was first implemented in 1960, this was the government agency in charge of examining the roadworthiness of vehicles.
What Is checked on a MOT?
During a MOT, the following items of your car will be examined:
- Bodywork
- Boot
- Doors
- Lights
- Reg Plate
- Tow bar
- Tyres
- Windscreen and Wipers
- Wing Mirrors
- Horn
- Seats
- Seatbelts and Airbags
- Bonnet
- Brakes
- Steering
- Suspension
- Exhaust System
- Fuel System
- Wiring and Battery
Regular maintenance is still essential even if your vehicle passes the MOT because it doesn’t guarantee that it will be secure to drive for the duration of the test certificate.
MOT – A Crisis Of Confusion
Millions of drivers could face fines because they are unsure of when their MOT needs to be renewed, according to a poll of 1,292 motorists conducted by Total UK.
The MOT extension scheme is likely to blame for this uncertainty. Drivers in England, Scotland, and Wales were informed that if their MOT test was scheduled for a date after March 30, 2020, they would be given an additional six months to use their current certificate.
Unfortunately, this has confused a lot of drivers, which has increased demand for MOT services. Due to the extension, testing was not expected to be completed until 30 September 2020 at the earliest, which caused a severe backlog and lengthy wait times at garages and test centres.
Everyone Needs a MOT – But Many Drivers Still Don’t Get One
MOT checks help make sure your vehicle is safe and fit to drive and will reveal any problems that need to be repaired for it to function legally. A MOT must be completed by a skilled mechanic and is a yearly legal requirement and crucial component of car maintenance.
Yet, the survey found that one in four people worry about their MOT in case it reveals that their car has a problem. Moreover, 17% of drivers admit to drive their vehicle despite being aware of a problem with it.
Drivers Are Unaware of the Legal Consequences
The survey also revealed that many drivers are unaware of the consequences of postponing their vehicle’s MOT. A whopping 53% of drivers think that they would receive three points on their licences if they fail to obtain a MOT certificate.
This is untrue, though. If your MOT certificate expires, you might face a driving fine of up to £1000 and have your car seized. The one trip you can make to the shop for a scheduled MOT is the only one that is legal.
A new MOT regulation change that might result in fines for millions of drivers is expected to catch them off guard.
Nine million UK drivers have acknowledged they are unaware of their MOT’s due date, which Total says is a significant “cause for concern” for law enforcement. According to a recent survey by gasoline suppliers Total, 28% of drivers were unsure when their MOTs required to be updated.
It happens after thousands of drivers who had tests due after 20 March 2020 received six-month test extensions to their current certificates.
After August 1, however, no additional automobiles were granted extensions, so the extensions are no longer in effect for any drivers.
Anyone whose licence has been extended and who hasn’t taken a test since should no longer be driving; if they are, they risk severe penalties.
According to the latest Total study, more than half of UK drivers were unaware of the dangers.
53 percent of those surveyed thought they would just receive demerit points on their licence, not a £1,000 fine.
Total Lubricants UK’s general manager, John Ryder, said that the extension scheme was solely to blame for the misunderstanding around the tests.
Even while this was not “front of mind” because of the epidemic, he said, it was essential that drivers do not skip their MOT test.
Bristol drivers were the least likely to be aware when their MOT was up for renewal, with four out of five confessing they are unaware of the date.
Nine out of ten drivers in the North of England, however, reported knowing when their next MOT was due, making them the most prepared for their check-up.
With 33% of drivers over 55 saying they are unaware of their certificate’s expiration date, they are the group most likely to be unaware of their next MOT’s due date.
According to Total’s research, one in four people are concerned about getting a MOT in case their car has a problem.
This was more common for individuals who had not taken a test in up to 18 months since complications could have developed.
