New research has revealed that a third (34%) of drivers don’t book their MOT in advance and are in danger of being caught out when their MOT expires.
In addition to the motorists who forget their MOT expiry date, there are 1.1 million car owners who are choosing not to get their car’s MOT renewed on the due date, according to a new survey by leading fast-fit service provider Kwik Fit. With money tight, and motorists looking to stretch their budgets as far as possible, these drivers say that they will either wait until they are required to show their MOT certificate to renew it, or are letting time elapse to maximise the longevity of the new test.
Police data shows that the combination of drivers with memory lapses and those deliberately delaying renewal means that as many as 10% of cars on UK roads may not have a valid MOT.
However, while some drivers may feel the MOT to be an inconvenience, the test is crucial to road safety. A massive 40% of all cars fail their annual MOT, with the average vehicle failing the test on more than three issues. The five most common reasons for failure are: 1: Lighting and signalling defects 2: Suspension defects 3: Defective brakes 4: Illegal tyres 5: Impaired drivers view of the road.
David White, customer services director at Kwik Fit, said: “If car owners are used to their car regularly passing the MOT with no problems, they may view an MOT simply as a piece of paper they need in order to get their car taxed. However, the statistics show that the test plays a vital role in identifying defects on a car that render it unroadworthy and unsafe to drive.”
Performance Improvement and mystery shopping expert Douglas Stafford has a specialised customer contact centre which operates a range of highly effective schemes to help dealerships connect and reconnect with their past customers. “Talking to customers both past and present regularly is essential for retaining and attracting business and reminding customers that their MOT is due and booking them in is a very effective way to help customers to stay legal and keep their car regularly serviced,” says Contact Centre Operations Manager Madelaine Cook.
