A popular mechanic has urged drivers to spend £55 on their vehicle to debunk a popular misconception that could lead to serious fines.
Craig Cox is a mechanic who works at Walsall Wood Tyre & Service in the Black Country and regularly uploads short videos to the company’s TikTok channel to help motorists avoid penalties and keep their car running smoothly.
In one of his most popular videos, Craig responds to a viewer who claimed that the £55 MOT is pointless as it only inspects the roadworthiness of a vehicle one day of the year.
He advised: “So Mike’s put that the MOT is only valid on the day of test. Well, the MOT is actually valid for 12 months, 13 if you have anything left on your old MOT when it is presented.
“Now, it is true what they say: the MOT is only as good as the vehicle on the day it is presented. Afterwards, defects can appear down the line, such as naughty people ripping out catalysts and things like that. Rest assured, the system is there in place so that, if we don’t catch it this year, we’ll definitely catch you next year if you leave it [problems] on there.”
Whilst many people dread the annual inspection, all road-going vehicles aged from three to 40 years old must be subject to an MOT every 12 months.
In the video, Craig highlighted that the test can help to raise awareness of any faults that a vehicle may have which, if ignored, could develop into much more serious issues that cost thousands to put right.
Moreover, motorists who are caught behind the wheel of a vehicle without a valid MOT run the risk of serious fines.
In the majority of cases, the penalty motorists face is up to £1,000, however those using a vehicle with a dangerous defect could receive a £2,500 fine and three licence points.
As a result, Craig urged all motorists to trust the rules surrounding the MOT test, getting their car inspected each year to avoid serious breakdowns and fines.
He continued: “It is what it is. These rules and regulations are there not just to keep us safer on the roads but to make the environment that little bit safer for pedestrians walking around these busy roads and all these clean air zones to help stop children breathing in all the nasty pollution coming from these cars.
“It’s there for a reason, so trust it and follow the system, because the system works.”
Drivers looking to save money on their motoring bills have been urged to book their MOT as early as possible, which can help to guarantee a space will be available in time. Motorists can book an MOT up to 31 days before their current inspection result expires, which would give the car up to 13 months of cover until the next test.
However, in order to prevent a £55 retest, and the hassle of arranging a tow back home, drivers should thoroughly check common components like the lights, tyres, and fluids before taking the vehicle to the garage for its inspection.
