The automotive self-regulatory body The Motor Ombudsman has reminded motorists to book their vehicle’s MOT well in advance to avoid frustration and the potential of fines.
With many families planning to head on holiday over the coming weeks, some drivers risk returning to a vehicle with an expired MOT.
Rebecca Pullan, Managing Director of The Motor Ombudsman, warned drivers that they are not allowed to use a vehicle on the public roads once its MOT has expired.
She advised: “An MOT is a legal obligation – an annual check that ensures your vehicle meets the required road safety and environmental standards.
“Contrary to the misconception of some consumers, there is no grace period once the MOT certificate becomes void. This means we always advise securing an appointmnet in advance, to ensure that the test is done well ahead of the deadline.”
Applicable to all vehicles in the UK aged between three and 40 years old, the MOT is an annual test to make sure that each car is safe enough to use on the roads.
By booking an MOT test before their holiday, The Motor Ombudsman stated that drivers are able to make sure they have a test lined up for before the current result has expired.
Whilst motorists are technically allowed to take the vehicle to a garage, driving or even parking a car without an MOT on the public roads can land motorists a £1,000 fine and points on their licence.
Bill Fennell, Chief Ombudsman and Managing Director of The Motor Ombudsman, recommended that motorists who are concerned they will miss their MOT expiry date sign up to one of the free reminder services that can text or email drivers.
He explained: “There are handy free-of-charge MOT reminder services available that can send a text or an email direct to your smartphone to give you advance notice of a [MOT] certificate expiring.
“It is therefore worth signing up to keep this important date in the vehicle ownership calendar front of mind, and to avoid a last-minute scramble to secure a slot on the ramp.”
To help keep their car in top running order throughout the year, Rebecca also suggested that drivers should book a service six months before the MOT is due, resolving any minor faults that could develop.
She added: “As a general rule, it is a good practice to bring your car to a garage for routine checks at least twice a year. Many drivers like to schedule their MOT and annual service for the same time, as they’re just making one trip to the garage.
“However, ‘uncoupling’ these visits means vehicle owners are much more likely to catch small issues before they become serious problems. This can help avoid incurring unwanted expense in the long run.”
