New Halfords analysis exhibits some alarming stuff
MOTs are a authorized requirement as soon as your automobile is three years outdated (Picture: Inside Artistic Home by way of Getty Photographs)
A couple of million autos are seemingly being pushed illegally on UK roads with out a legitimate MOT, new analysis suggests. Alarmingly, Gen Z drivers are 4 occasions extra more likely to neglect an MOT than older generations.
These figures had been launched this week by Halfords, indicating that three per cent of motorists confess to having bypassed their MOT previously yr. On condition that MOTs are annual, this suggests that round 1.2 million autos are at present on the highway with out an MOT.
Halfords cites Division for Transport knowledge exhibiting that there are presently 42.3 million registered autos on UK roads. With the brand new research revealing that 5% admit to beforehand skipping their MOT and 59% of these confessing they missed it within the final yr, it is possible that 1,247,850 autos could not have had an MOT previously 12 months.
Gen Z drivers are ‘4 occasions extra seemingly’ to skip MOTs
The research revealed a regarding pattern amongst youthful drivers – six per cent said they’d skipped an MOT previously yr, double the nationwide common. Actually, eight per cent of Gen Z confessed to ever skipping an MOT – in comparison with three per cent of Gen X and two per cent of child boomers, regardless of having been driving for considerably much less time.
Drivers cited prices as a problem (Picture: Fenton Roman by way of Getty Photographs)
The research additionally revealed that males are greater than twice as seemingly as girls to have ever missed an MOT (7% vs 3%). Moreover, these residing in London had been discovered to be thrice extra more likely to have skipped an MOT previously yr in comparison with the nationwide common (10% vs 3%).
Motorists cite a variety of causes for lacking an MOT. Over a 3rd who did so (36%) admitted they merely forgot it was due.
Nonetheless, over 1 / 4 (27%) deliberately prevented it resulting from the price of the MOT itself. A further quarter (25%) opted out due to basic motoring prices.
The broader value of dwelling appears to play a job – with 61% of Britons reporting a rise in dwelling bills, the scenario may doubtlessly worsen. This might additionally exacerbate the difficulty – over 4 in ten (42%) drivers expressed concern about affording their subsequent MOT.
Amongst these, 69% voiced worries about surprising restore prices that may crop up throughout an MOT and 50% had been anxious about affording it given the escalating value of dwelling. It is price noting that MOTs are a yearly authorized obligation to make sure autos adhere to security and environmental requirements.
Autos working with out a legitimate MOT certificates pose critical security dangers, endangering drivers, passengers and fellow motorists alike. Driving with out an MOT can lead to penalties of as much as £1,000, accumulation of six penalty factors on a driving licence, and may render motor insurance coverage void.
Andy Turbefield, motoring specialist at Halfords, stated: “Many individuals are feeling the squeeze financially, however skipping your MOT is a false economic system. It may well really result in larger monetary burden in the event you get fined and in the event you had been to crash your car and a scarcity of an MOT invalidates your insurance coverage, you possibly can be out of pocket for much extra.
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“MOT failures are sometimes a results of low-cost points resembling a blown bulb and even low screenwash. At Halfords we provide those that signal as much as our free Motoring Membership a complimentary 10-point automobile examine, which can assist establish any points forward of an MOT, in addition to providing £5 off their MOT itself. In the meantime the premium membership – which prices £54 – features a free MOT in addition to £10 and £130 of financial savings, all of which works a small method to making motoring that bit extra reasonably priced.”
The research was carried out by Mortar on January 13 and 14, 2026, surveying 2,015 British motorists.
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