Some motorists pay £100 for a vehicle MOT – especially women
To put a vehicle in for the yearly MOT now costs around £50. If your vehicle fails and you miss the deadline for the re-test you can end up paying again, totalling £100 to get you through your MOT – and that’s before any repair work. And women are more likely to fail their MOT than a man according to recent research. Some garages use the MOT test as an opportunity to look for and even create work, according to mail order specialist Car Parts Direct. They claim motorists who fail to prepare for an MOT risk being charged for work that is not required and pay over the odds for repairs to avoid a second MOT.
The research revealed that women taking a vehicle for an MOT are 12% more likely to fail than a male motorist.
According to VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Service Agency) the Government body responsible for overseeing MOT centre activities, 32% of vehicles failed their MOT test last year. Around 30 percent of vehicles failed due to their brakes, steering or suspension.
Mark Cornwall of Car Parts Direct claims that half of all motorists can avoid the need for an MOT re-test by following simple procedures. Car Parts Direct provides a checklist on their website to explain to motorists how to pass their MOT first time – importantly, it also includes the top ten tips to avoid being ripped off at an MOT.
Mark Cornwall said, “Simply printing off our MOT check list and leaving it on the passenger seat is enough to let an MOT tester know that you understand what’s required for your MOT and reduces your chances of failing. Motorists that read and follow the instructions are almost certain to pass first time.”
Car Parts Direct also has an online video to show motorists how to check and replace common MOT failure parts such as brakes and shock absorbers. For D.I.Y enthusiasts there’s a full range of MOT failure parts available online with savings of up to 75% compared to leaving it to the garage to order your parts and carry out the repair – visit carparts-direct.co.uk
