Over 9.9 Million MOTs Fail in Britain

In 2023, over one in five MOT tests in Britain failed, with 9.9 million out of 43.7 million conducted tests deemed unsuccessful, according to the RAC Foundation. Among the failures, a striking 30 vehicles were identified with 24 or more major or dangerous faults, including a 1997 Daihatsu Fourtrak that had 29 serious issues. Common reasons for failure include problems with axles, brakes, and visibility, while some unusual causes involved missing brake discs and steering locks inadvertently engaging. The maximum cost for an MOT is £54.85, but additional repair costs may apply. The Conservative government recently decided to maintain the current MOT schedule despite proposing to extend the initial MOT requirement for new vehicles to four years. RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding highlighted concerns about drivers presenting cars with obvious defects, stressing the importance of regular maintenance for road safety.