Nearly half of UK motorists could be at risk of being caught out by a major MOT mistake in 2024, according to experts from Scrap Car Comparison.
New data by the motoring group found that 47 percent of UK drivers carried out their MOT more than a month before the expiry date of their existing DVSA certificate.
A staggering 18 percent admitted they “always” or “frequently” choose to do this instead of waiting for their test date to roll around.
This in itself is perfectly legal but road users may be caught out a year later when booking their next test.
Government rules state that MOTs must be carried out up to one calendar month before an expiry date to preserve the anniversary.
Getting a test early means their old MOT expiry data is no longer valid. Instead, road users need to remember their new expiry details for the following years.
David Kottuan, Operations Manager at Scrap Car Comparison said: “Motorists should consider carefully the date that they book their annual MOT checks. You can check your car’s MOT history online at the Government website to work out the earliest date for the test to be carried out.
“If timed right, you can almost have 13 months on your MOT certificate, but drivers should be aware of it being completed too early, because if the test is carried out more than a month before the expiration date of its current MOT certificate, it will only be valid for 12 months from the new test date, meaning you could ‘lose’ months from your existing MOT test period.
“Caution should be taken especially if your car fails this early test, as carrying it out early doesn’t mean you can still use your old certificate, and instead means you no longer have a valid MOT certificate, and the vehicle is no longer road safe in the eyes of the law.”
Failing an earlier MOT test could also see motorists caught out with road users effectively banned from driving.
Despite the old certificate not yet reaching a year, this will no longer be valid from the second road users leave the garage.
Only the result of the new test will apply, meaning motorists who do not pass will not be allowed to use their vehicles until the problems are fixed and the car is retested.
Those who ignore the rules will be illegally driving their vehicle and could be slapped with a hefty £1,000 fine.
But, this could rise to £2,500, a driving ban, and three penalty points if any driver is involved in an incident with no MOT in place.
Mr Kottuan added: “Based on our findings, it seems many drivers are currently thinking in this way and making mistakes when it comes to their MOTs, so we hope the advice helps more drivers get it right in 2024”.
