MOT – Pulpaddict

Motorists lose 565 hours to car-related admin over a lifetime

BMW Proactive Care

Drivers “lose” up to 565 hours of their lives to car-related admin and maintenance planning.

A poll of 2,000 drivers, of all vehicle makes and models, revealed that on average, they spend the equivalent of a full day each year thinking about service schedules, MOTs, and potential issues – time that could be better spent elsewhere.

More than six in 10 (63%) have missed important occasions because they couldn’t get there due to a car-related problem. In fact, drivers reported having to change plans an average of four times a year due to undetected car issues.

The research was commissioned by BMW, whose Proactive Care service is designed to give drivers added confidence and convenience, working quietly in the background to help keep them moving with greater peace of mind.

Available on every BMW less than 10 years old, the technology uses real-time vehicle data to alert drivers to potential issues before they become problems, remind them about scheduled maintenance, or offer immediate support following an accident.

MOT testing station

To bring this to life and raise awareness of this intelligent technology, BMW used car tyres to create a striking clock visual sculpted in beach sand to symbolise the precious hours that could be reclaimed.

The study also found that many drivers still rely on traditional methods to stay organised, with more than half (52%) using diaries to manage service schedules, 37% waiting for a dashboard alert before acting, and 37% admitted to actively delaying visits to a garage.

The impact this has on car ownership is significant, with over two thirds (68%) of motorists saying they’d enjoy driving more if they had greater peace of mind.

“Time is the ultimate luxury and shouldn’t always be lost to car admin or unplanned maintenance,” said Werner Pagenstert, Customer Support Director at BMW Group UK.

“Proactive Care helps drivers reclaim those 565 lost hours and spend more time doing the things that matter most to them.”

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RAC warns against MOT ‘advisory apathy’

One-in-six drivers who ignore MOT advisories suffer a breakdown, or worse, according to new RAC research based on cars that had recently taken the annual roadworthiness test.

In other words, an estimated six million motorists went on to experience a vehicle breakdown or were involved in a collision as a result.

Of the 1,460 drivers who had their vehicle recently MOTd, 44% said the test resulted in one or more advisory notices being given.

These notices are early warning signs that could result in a future MOT failure – and not addressing them promptly could lead to a vehicle being unsafe and unfit for the road. Examples include tyres being close to the legal limit, brake pads being almost completely worn out, and minor (for now) oil leaks.

While a majority of drivers whose vehicles were given MOT advisories (60%) said they had either already dealt with all the issues flagged, or planned to before the next test, a substantial four-in-10 (39%) don’t plan to get all of the problems resolved.

And, of all those that weren’t issued with any advisories at their most recent MOT, as many as a fifth (22%) admitted to ignoring such notices in the past.

By running the gauntlet and not acting on MOT advisories, drivers are at risk of knowingly getting behind the wheel of an unroadworthy vehicle. This is not only dangerous, but it can result in a fine and penalty points if caught – and invalidate motor insurance cover.

Of those respondents whose vehicles were issued with MOT advisory notices last time around, more than a third (36%) got the issues dealt with at the garage before they collected their cars. But the remainder – 64% – delayed the necessary repairs, with one-in-10 (11%) leaving it until more than a month after the MOT in question.

The latest Government data shows that vehicle defects were a factor in 1,350 collisions in 2023 – the highest number in five years.** Of these, 36 collisions involved one or more fatality, again the highest figure since 2018.

“The MOT is an annual occurrence for millions of drivers up and down the country, and serves as a vital check on a vehicle’s roadworthiness,” said RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader Nick Mullender.

“While we all dread a failure, any advisories demand attention because they mean the vehicle isn’t in the best of health. Unfortunately, our research suggests there’s a lot of troubling ‘advisory apathy’ among drivers.”

Why some motorists are avoiding MOTs and using faulty tyres

Gareth Herincx

33 mins ago
Auto News

New data from the RAC reveals that 20% of UK drivers under the age of 44 have cut costs by skipping legally required MOTs or delaying tyre replacements, raising significant safety concerns.

The cost-of-living crisis has also driven 19% of all drivers to reduce or halt car servicing and repairs entirely.

For younger drivers, the trend is even more pronounced, with more than a third of under-25s admitting to deferring essential car maintenance.

Across all age groups, one in 10 drivers have neglected to replace worn tyres or skipped MOTs, both critical measures to ensure road safety for the UK’s 42 million vehicles.

Failing to carry out routine maintenance and repairs to save money could also prove to be a false economy when a vehicle breaks down and owners are then faced with a big repair bill.

This is borne out by six-in-10 (59%) drivers facing unexpected repair costs for their main vehicle over the past 12 months. The average total amount spent on these repairs was £617.

“It’s very worrying that so many drivers under the age of 44 appear to have risked breaking the law by not putting their vehicles through the MOT and running them on tyres that should have been replaced, all in an attempt to save some money,” said RAC breakdown spokesperson Simon Williams.

“Safety on our roads is paramount. The MOT is a legal requirement for good reason. Skipping it jeopardises the safety of all road users, including the driver.”

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Revealed: The UK’s growing number of DIY motorists

Gareth Herincx

1 day ago
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More than a third of drivers would rather fix minor car issues themselves than pay for a professional to do it, new research suggests.

According to eBay UK’s study, saving money is a key reason for savvy motorists taking on smaller repair jobs.

Worryingly, one-in-10 claimed they don’t think MOT advisories are a big deal, and nearly a quarter (22%) admitted to delaying repairs for as long as possible.

Also, 34% of motorists delayed getting MOT advisories fixed last year due to rising living costs, with another 33% stating that they were unable to afford the repairs.

The research also revealed that the most common MOT failure issues were inoperative lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (23%), followed closely by suspension (18%), brake issues (14%) and defective tyres (13%) – many of which could be easily avoided.

Hannah Gordon, eBay UK’s expert mechanic, said: “The car is an essential part of many people’s lives, so being without it due to an MOT fail plays into the dread that many people feel around the annual test.

“Often, minor faults such as frayed windscreen wipers can be easily replaced, and by searching on eBay UK you can save time and money by sourcing and fitting the parts yourself.”

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Cost-of-living crisis: Motorists delay buying safer tyres

Gareth Herincx

2 days ago
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Motorists have been warned about the risk of driving with worn tyres as new eBay research reveals that more than one in 10 have put off buying new tyres, with most blaming the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Nearly 40% will only buy new tyres if they fail an MOT, while 11% will hold out until the following year’s test if they receive an advisory.

As well as delaying the purchasing of new tyres, eBay’s study also found that 11% were not confident when checking the tread on their tyres, while 10% stated that they have no clue about the recommended tyre pressures for their vehicle.

These findings come as 18% of drivers revealed plans to embark on long journeys (more than 100 miles) during the Christmas break, when weather conditions are typically poor.

Hannah Gordon, eBay expert and mechanic, said: “As a mechanic, I’ve witnessed first-hand the reluctance of drivers to address tyre damage promptly.

“People are often put off by cost, and understandably, they think if they pass an MOT they’re fine, which isn’t always the case.

“Braking distance and overall handling, especially in winter weather, can be seriously impacted by tyre health and tread depth.”

The research comes as eBay relaunches its tyre purchasing and fitment service. The one-stop shop allows buyers to order tyres before then choosing a local fitment centre, where the tyres will be sent and fitted at the owner’s chosen date and time.

eBay’s relaunched programme allows customers to choose from more than 250,000 tyre listings and over 3,000 installers across the UK, meaning eBay UK is now home to the UK’s largest tyre fitment network. It has now more than doubled the number of garages working in its UK tyre fitment network.

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