A road safety charity says a small minority of drivers and riders are risking their lives, and the lives of other road users, by putting off their vehicle’s annual MOT check.
In March 2020, as the first nationwide Covid-19 lockdown began, the DVSA introduced a six-month MOT extension for all cars, vans and motorcycles in Britain.
IAM RoadSmart estimates there could be as many as 5.5 million cars with a delayed MOT, with many of these drivers having their vehicles tested in September 2020, meaning their test is now due in September 2021
While this means September 2021 is set to be a bumper month for garages, IAM RoadSmart says drivers and riders who don’t plan-ahead ‘could suffer’ if it becomes difficult to book a test during the predicted ‘huge spike’ in demand.
The charity says anyone who delays the MOT is effectively ‘gambling with their vehicle’s fitness for the road’, and is encouraging all road users to get their MOT done as soon as possible to avoid ‘leaving safety to chance’.
Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart’s director of policy and research, said: “It’s not only false economy to delay your MOT test but it could also potentially have deadly consequences.
“Missing a key window to get a test done will cost you financially with a fine but more importantly puts lives at risk on our roads.
“The backlog created by the relaxation of the rules leads to inevitable delays and hassle trying to get a booking that fits your needs and having any adjustments completed that become urgent.”
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