Nearly 10,000 cars in Bedfordshire are thought to have been driven with overdue MOTs in the past three years, according to new figures that have prompted fresh calls for drivers to double-check when their test is due.
Data says there were 9,898 overdue MOT tests in the county between 2022 and 2024, with an average pass rate locally of 74.44 per cent over that period.
How Bedfordshire compares
The Bedfordshire figures sit within a wider picture that Confused.com says shows 2.9 million drivers across Great Britain have been on the road without a valid MOT certificate in the last three years.
Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland show 791,000 vehicles were overdue for a new MOT in 2024 alone.
Regionally, the South East recorded the highest number of overdue MOTs between 2022 and 2024, with 433,251, followed by 328,005 in the East of England and 317,798 in the North West.
Across Great Britain, the average MOT pass rate over that three-year period was 72 per cent, meaning that more than one in four cars failed when they were eventually tested.
Drivers who are caught using a vehicle without a valid MOT can face a fine of up to £1,000. If the vehicle is then tested and classed as dangerous, the maximum fine can rise to £2,500, with three penalty points and, in some cases, a driving ban.
In England, London recorded the highest average pass rate at 78.2 per cent, while the South West had the lowest at 67.3 per cent. In Northern Ireland, the DVA reported an overall pass rate of 81.5 per cent in the last financial year, with 810,862 vehicles passing their tests.
MOT failure
The DVSA data also sheds light on why so many vehicles are failing when they finally reach the test centre.
Over the last three years, brake faults have been the single most significant cause of failures, accounting for more than 27 million failed MOTs, or around 9 million every year. Faulty brakes increase stopping distances and can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
Suspension problems are the next most common reason for failure. Poor suspension reduces the tyre’s grip on the road, increasing the likelihood of skids and sudden swerves, particularly in bad weather or at higher speeds.
Tyres are close behind. Worn tread or damage reduces grip, making it harder to steer and stop, especially on wet or icy roads.
Confused.com points out that drivers found with all four tyres below the legal tread limit could face on-the-spot fines totalling up to £10,000.
In Northern Ireland, the DVA reports that suspension issues, defects in the body and chassis and faults with fuel or exhaust systems are among the most common reasons for vehicles to fail.
Cost pressures and confusion
Not every overdue MOT comes down to a fault. For many drivers, the problem starts with simply missing their test date.
In a separate survey of 2,000 UK motorists cited in the report, one in five admitted they had missed an MOT at some point. More than half of those said it had happened more than twice.
Among drivers who had let their MOT lapse:
- 46 per cent said they had forgotten the date
- 14 per cent thought they had more time left
- 7 per cent said they could not get an appointment before the certificate ran out
Almost one in four respondents said they did not fully understand the legal and financial consequences of driving without a valid MOT. Of those caught, half reported receiving a fine, and a third said penalty points were added to their licence.
Money is also part of the picture. Almost one in ten drivers told the survey they had delayed their MOT because of the cost. On average, drivers said they spent £111 on the test and any immediate repair work.
With household budgets under pressure, more than one in six respondents felt the MOT should move to a two-year cycle rather than an annual one.
One in five believed some garages fail cars unfairly to make more money, while a quarter said they would like to see discounts or loyalty schemes to help with the cost of testing.
How to stay on track
Many drivers said that a simple reminder would make a big difference. More than one in three said they would find email or text alerts helpful to avoid missing their MOT date.
To support this, Confused.com has launched an online MOT Checker tool that allows drivers to look up a vehicle’s MOT history and current status and sign up for reminders before the next test is due.
Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at Confused.com, said: “Keeping on top of your MOT is more than a box-ticking exercise. It is one of the most important ways to make sure your car is reliable and safe to drive.
“Our research shows that millions of cars are on the road without a valid MOT, often because drivers simply forget. But an expired MOT does not just mean a fine of up to £1,000.
“It means your car might not be roadworthy, which puts you and others at risk. And if caught without a valid MOT, there is also a chance your insurance could be invalidated.
“Many of the faults that cause MOT failures, like faulty brakes, damaged tyres or suspension issues, can often be avoided with simple and regular checks. Taking the time to spot problems early can save you money on repairs and help prevent accidents.
“To make staying on top of your annual MOT test easier, some garages and dealerships offer payment schemes that include your MOT and service costs spread across the year.
“These plans often come with MOT reminders, helping you stay organised and making them more affordable. Our MOT Checker also helps drivers view their vehicle’s MOT history, current status and sign up for reminders so they do not miss their next test.”
