The DVSA is calling on drivers to take urgent action, or they could find themselves at risk of being fined for failing to ensure their car is roadworthy.
Almost a quarter of drivers who are not signed up to the MOT reminder service presented their vehicle late for an MOT over the last year, according to new data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
The free MOT reminder service is operated by the DVSA and allows motorists to receive an alert 30 days before their MOT is due via email or text message.
**ARE YOU READING THIS ON OUR APP? DOWNLOAD NOW FOR THE BEST GB NEWS EXPERIENCE**
Since its launch in 2017, around six million driving licence holders across the UK have signed up to the DVSA's reminder service.
Drivers are being urged to sign up for the MOT test reminder system
|DVSA/GETTY
However, between May 2024 and April 2025, a concerning 24.7 per cent of people who are not signed up to the reminder service took their vehicles for an MOT at a later date.
In contrast, only 16.5 per cent of people who are signed up to the service presented their vehicle late for the MOT test.
Grant Thunder, MOT service manager at the DVSA, said it was the priority of the agency to ensure all vehicles on UK roads are safe.
He noted that vehicles taking MOT tests were crucial to the safety of all motorists and all other road users.
The DVSA has warned that many drivers could risk the safety of others on the road without an MOT test
|DVSA
Mr Thunder continued, saying: "Our free MOT reminder service makes it even easier for motorists to ensure they get their MOT done on time.
"Achieving over six million sign-ups to the service is a testament to the faith that motorists put into DVSA's digital services."
Once someone has signed up for the MOT reminder service, drivers will receive a prompt 30 days before their MOT is due.
They will get another email or text message two weeks before their car's MOT is due if they haven't yet taken their vehicle for the annual test.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Mr Thunder said the DVSA was "proud" to have six million drivers signed up for the MOT reminder service.
Despite this, he called for more drivers to sign up to avoid missing their MOT test for their car, in the interests of road safety.
When signing up, drivers will need to supply their vehicle's number plate, in addition to a mobile phone number or email address, depending on how they want to receive the alerts.
Vehicles without a valid MOT could have a huge impact on road safety, with motorists facing a £1,000 fine if they do not take their vehicle for the test.
Many drivers who haven't signed up for the reminder service were late to take their vehicles for an MOT test
| PAIt costs £29.65 for a motorcycle MOT test, while cars with space for up to eight passengers and motor caravans will be charged £54.85.
There is a separate reminder system in place for motorists in Northern Ireland, with motorists receiving a seven-week notice in the post prior to their vehicle examination.
Drivers are encouraged to book an MOT test as soon as possible once they receive a reminder from the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA).
It warned drivers that they could face longer waiting times than normal, and they may not be able to get a vehicle test appointment before their current MOT expires.