In the last 3 years, over 2.9 million drivers have risked road safety by not having a valid MOT. These drivers have also racked up nearly £3 billion in total fines as a result of overdue MOTs.
Key Takeaways
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Over 1 in 5 (20%) drivers admit to missing their MOT. More than half (52%) said this has happened more than twice.
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1 in 4 (24%) drivers don't know the legal and financial penalties of driving without a valid MOT.
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Almost half (46%) of those who have missed an MOT say it’s because they forgot the date. Confused.com’s MOT checker can help you track your vehicle's MOT. You can also set up MOT reminders in the Confused.com app.
Which part of the UK is the worst for overdue MOTs?
New research from Confused.com shows that nearly 2.9 million UK drivers have been driving without a valid MOT in the last 3 years. This means lots of these cars might not be roadworthy - putting everyone on the road in danger.
We got this information through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland.
It also revealed that 791,000 vehicles were overdue an MOT in 2024 alone. Here's the UK regional breakdown of overdue MOT tests between 2022 and 2024:
| Region | No. Overdue MOTs | Average Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|
|
South East
|
433,251
|
73%
|
|
East of England
|
328,005
|
74.10%
|
|
North West
|
317,798
|
72.70%
|
|
West Midlands
|
325,921
|
73.50%
|
|
London
|
277,745
|
78.20%
|
|
East Midlands
|
268,621
|
72.50%
|
|
Yorkshire & the Humber
|
240,771
|
71.80%
|
|
South West
|
260,739
|
67.30%
|
|
Scotland
|
200,397
|
69.60%
|
|
Wales
|
150,993
|
70.30%
|
|
North East
|
62,571
|
70.80%
|
There are clear regional differences in overdue MOTs. Drivers in the Southeast have the highest number of overdue MOTs, followed by the East of England and the Northwest.
We drilled further into the data and found that in England, London had the highest average pass rate at 78%. The South East had the lowest at 67%. Northern Ireland had the best pass rate at 81.5%. That's 810,862 vehicles passing their test.
Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at Confused.com, comments:
“Keeping on top of your MOT is more than a box-ticking exercise. It’s one of the most important ways to make sure your car is reliable and safe to drive.
"Our research shows that millions of cars are on the road without a valid MOT, often because drivers simply forget. But an expired MOT doesn’t just mean a fine of up to £1,000. It means your car might not be roadworthy, which puts you and others at risk. And if caught without a valid MOT, there’s also a chance your car insurance could be invalidated."
Why are drivers missing their MOT dates?
Many motorists are simply missing their MOT test date because they forgot it.
In fact, of the 1 in 5 (20%) people that admitted to missing their MOT, almost half (46%) said they forgot the date. Over half (52%) of these drivers said this happened more than twice. 1 in 7 (14%) thought they had more time left.
But 7% of those who missed their MOT couldn't get an appointment in time. Because they missed their appointment, these drivers naturally had concerns about their vehicle's roadworthiness. Plus, they risk a fine if they drive their car on the road without an MOT.
How Confused.com can help you keep track of your MOT
There's a lot for people to think about, so it's not surprising that your MOT might slip your mind.
We've got a few tools that can help you keep track of your MOT. The first is our MOT checker. Simply enter your vehicle registration to find out when your MOT is due.
Or you can set up reminders for your MOT in the Confused.com app, plus your tax and car insurance.
Cost is a factor too. Almost 1 in 10 (9%) had to delay their MOT test because of the cost.
On average, drivers said they spent £111 on their MOT test. That includes booking fees and repairs.
The cost of living is only getting more expensive, so some motorists might struggle to cover both the initial MOT cost and repairing major faults straight away.
Over 1 in 6 (17%) drivers think MOT tests should be delayed to every 2 years instead of every year to help with the costs. But there are ways to make this more affordable.
Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at Confused.com, comments:
“To make staying on top of your annual MOT test easier, some garages and dealerships offer payment schemes that include your MOT and service costs spread across the year."
What are the most common reasons for failing MOTs?
In the last 3 years, these are the 3 most common reasons for MOT failure:
| Fault | Failed test amount | Risks |
|---|---|---|
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Brakes
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27.9 million
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This is a major hazard, drivers could lose control of their car and cause an accident.
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|
Suspension
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27.2 million
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Drivers could lose control of their vehicle, there's also a risk of skidding or swerving.
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Tyres
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24.4 million
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Worn tread or damage to tyres can reduce grip on the road, particularly in wet or icy conditions.
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In Northern Ireland, the DVA reported that the highest number of problems were due to:
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Suspension problems
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Body chassis
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Fuel exhaust systems
All of these issues can affect how stable and secure the car is. Problems with the fuel or exhaust can mean the car produces more emissions and reduces the engine's efficiency. This all leads to a failed test.
You can get ahead of these common failures by getting these checked beforehand. Rhydian Jones comments:
Our MOT checklist can help you prep your car before its MOT. If you spot issues you can repair them bit by bit, making it more affordable than paying for it all in one go.
What happens if I don't get an MOT?
There's a definite lack of awareness when it comes to the consequences of missing an MOT.
Almost 1 in 4 (24%) people weren't aware of the legal and financial penalties of driving without a valid MOT certificate.
During our research we found that for those who were caught driving without a valid MOT, half said they were fined and 1 in 3 (33%) said they received penalty points on their licence.
If you don't have a valid MOT, you could face a fine of up to £1,000. Usually it's a fixed penalty notice of £100.
If your car is deemed 'dangerous', the fine increases to £2,500.
You could face a 6-month driving ban if you're caught without an MOT twice in a 3-year period.
Points on your licence can increase your car insurance costs. Your car also needs to have a valid MOT certificate as a condition of your insurance. Not having one could invalidate your policy - that means your insurer isn't likely to pay out if you make a claim.
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