Drivers decline MOT holidays
More than a quarter of vehicle owners eligible for an MOT extension during lockdown still got their car tested, according to new figures.
Research by Kwik Fit found that these drivers wanted the reassurance of a physical MOT rather than relying on the extension, with owners of premium German cars the most likely to do so.
Mercedes-Benz owners were most likely to take their vehicle for a lockdown MOT test, with 33% of the vehicles with an MOT ending in April or May – and therefore eligible for an MOT extension – being taken for a test.
This was followed by BMW owners at 32.5% and Audi at 31%. Mini and Fiat rounded out the top five with both around 30%.
Meanwhile, just 21% of Hondas were taken for tests at this time, and about 23% of Volvos and Toyotas.
Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit said: “This analysis has highlighted some interesting differences between the owners of different makes of car. It’s certainly striking that the owners most likely to have opted to have a physical MOT are drivers of what many consider to be the premium marques in the top 20.
“It may be that these drivers have been using their cars more for essential journeys during lock down and want peace of mind, or they may believe that maintaining their MOT record will help hold their resale value.
“As we have seen, the majority of owners have not taken their car for a test, so as lock down restrictions ease and traffic volumes increase back towards normal levels, we urge all those drivers who have received an MOT extension to carry out their own thorough checks, especially on tyres and brakes, the most common causes for dangerous MOT failures. Our analysis shows 150,000 unroadworthy vehicles a week are being given MOT extensions, so it’s vital drivers don’t neglect their responsibility to keep their cars safe.” According to the figures, a total of almost 4.8 million cars were eligible for an MOT extension, with just over 1.3 million being taken for a new test anyway – about 27%.
Car crashes have increased by more than a third since lockdown rules were relaxed, new figures suggest. Co-op Insurance said it saw a 35% spike in claims between May 9 and June 10 compared with the previous four-and-a-half week period.
The insurer suggested the increase could be due to people being out of the habit of driving regularly.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out his “first sketch of a road map” for easing restrictions on May 10.
A survey of 2,080 UK adults commissioned by Co-op Insurance indicated that 16% of motorists say they have been driving more in the past month, with 59% of this group believing it is safer than public transport.
More than a tenth (12%) of drivers responded that they have been driving as opposed to using trains or buses because they do not want to wear a face covering.