Drivers would rather fix minor car issues themselves than pay for a professional to take a look as the cost of repairs becomes unaffordable.
More than a third of drivers revealed they would fix minor car issues themselves rather than booking an MOT service, which could see the vehicle hit with additional costs.
According to a new study, 34 per cent of motorists delayed getting MOT advisories fixed last year due to rising living costs, with a further 33 per cent stating that they were unable to afford the repairs.
However, one in 10 drivers claim they don’t think advisories are a big deal, while nearly a quarter (22 per cent) admitted to delaying repairs for as long as possible.
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Drivers are increasingly more likely to fix their cars themselves to keep costs down
PAArjang Salehi, category lead for vehicle parts and accessories at eBay UK, said: “According to eBay research, 45 per cent of motorists dread the prospect of an MOT more than going to the dentist (34 per cent) and this anxiety is caused by fear of the unknown.
“What’s the garage going to find and how much is it going to cost to put it right – those are the biggest fears.
“At eBay we have all the items a driver might need to fix MOT advisories, and it’s our goal to make that process as easy as possible with the My Garage function, which helps motorists find the right item for their car, and our Assured Fit promise, which offers free returns if a part doesn’t fit.”
The eBay research also found that the most common MOT failure issues were inoperative lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, followed closely by suspension, brake issues and defective tyres.
Hannah Gordon, eBay UK’s expert mechanic, added: “The car is an essential part of many people’s lives, so being without it due to an MOT fail plays into the dread that many people feel around the annual test.
“Often, minor faults such as frayed windscreen wipers can be easily replaced, and by searching on eBay UK you can save time and money by sourcing and fitting the parts yourself.”
Meanwhile, a Freedom of Information request revealed the top 10 locations across the UK where drivers were more likely to fail their MOT. It included:
1. Kirkcaldy, Scotland
2. Llandrindod, Wales
3. Dundee, Scotland
4. Truro, England
5. Plymouth, England
6. Exeter, England
7. Torquay, England
8. Salisbury, England
9. Bristol, England
10. Bath, England
In an update to MOTs, the DVSA revealed that from April 29, it will no longer issue paper MOT pass certificates for certain drivers as it moves to becoming more environmentally friendly.
The move forms part of the agency’s digital transformation which saw the rollout of the new Manage Your Vehicle Testing digital service across vehicle testing.
Explaining the decision in a blog post, the DVSA said: “We’re asking businesses to start thinking about how you can implement these changes. We will be working with industry and frontline colleagues to ensure everyone is aware of these changes.
“Now that digital certificates are available, from April 29 this year we are going to stop printing MOT pass certificates, by default, at the time of the test.”
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Drivers face a £1,000 fine if they fail to have a valid MOT
GETTYBritish motorists can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT and could lead to further road safety issues.