Motorists could fail their MOT test for simply having an air freshener hanging in their car, according to experts at cinch.
The simple accessory can make your car smell a lot nicer but may cause a series of issues in the annual car exam.
In some circumstances, garages may be inclined to fail a vehicle on safety concerns meaning a car will be banned from the roads.
Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at cinch said the concern is because air freshener could obstruct a major safety feature located in every car.
He said: “Air fresheners are one of the most popular car accessories with drivers. However, adding a pleasant fragrance to your used BMW or VW’s interior may cause a few problems, including a possible failed MOT.
“If not placed correctly, air fresheners can obstruct the driver’s view and interfere with the functionality of the airbags in the event of an accident.
“Motorists should always have a clear view of the road ahead, so dangling this perfumed accessory from your windscreen or rear-view mirror can hinder your visibility.
“To keep yourself safe en-route and improve your chances of success at the next MOT, mount your air freshener where it’s out of your vision, whether on the car’s dash tray or middle air vent.”
As well as failing an MOT, an improperly placed air freshener could also see road users fined for breaching the Highway Code.
The rules state that “windscreens and windows must be kept clean and free from obstructions to vision”.
Road Traffic Law also states that no one should get behind the wheel if they “cannot have proper control of the vehicle or have a full view of the road and traffic ahead”.
Motorists could get penalised for “failing to have proper control of a vehicle or full view of the road and traffic ahead”.
This will usually see road users issued a £1,000 fine, three penalty points or a discretionary disqualification.
Tim Alcock, spokesman for LeaseCar, warned air fresheners could also distract road users from paying attention to the road ahead.
He commented: “While having an air freshener hanging in the car isn’t explicitly illegal, it is against the law to not have a full vision of your surroundings and this kind of obstruction can block out part of the view ahead.
“It is also an offence to be driving while distracted, so if the air freshener is affecting the driver efficiently assessing their surroundings for potential hazards and this results in an accident they could be charged with a distracted driving offence.”
