Revealed: The regions most at risk of MOT-less drivers

18 May 2018

MOT Two fifths (39%) of the UK’s young drivers have or would put off an MOT.

Ahead of the MOT changes on Sunday (20th May), Co-op Insurance can reveal the top 10 riskiest regions where young motorists are putting off MOTs.

London tops the list as half (49%) of London’s young drivers have admitted to putting off an MOT, with a further sixth (15%) saying they would put off the service.

The top 10 regions where young drivers put off MOTs

  1. 49% of London’s drivers have put off an MOT
  2. 37% of North East’s drivers have put off an MOT
  3. 21% of East Midlands’ drivers have put off an MOT
  4. 19% of North West’s drivers have put off an MOT
  5. 17% of Wales’ drivers have put off an MOT
  6. 17% of West Midlands’ drivers have put off an MOT
  7. 16% of East Anglia’s drivers have put off an MOT
  8. 14% of Northern Ireland’s drivers have put off an MOT
  9. 13% of Scotland’s drivers have put off an MOT
  10. 13% of South East’s drivers have put off an MOT

When looking at the reasons as to why this is the case, one in 10 young motorists (9%) currently think MOTs are not important, with a further quarter (24%) explaining they are just fairly important.

Of the UK drivers who have or would put off an MOT, two fifths (37%) say it’s because they worry about the repair costs their cars would need. Over a third (36%) have or would put off an MOT due to the cost of the service itself, whilst a quarter (26%) would swerve a service if they thought their car wouldn’t pass.

Worryingly, despite MOTs being a legal requirement, a fifth (19%) of UK’s young drivers say they’d not bother getting their car serviced if they believed their car didn’t need one.

Furthermore over a third (31%) of young motorists say they either don’t know or are unsure of when their MOT is due.

Nick Ansley, Head of Motor Insurance at the Co-op said:

“It’s concerning that do many young drivers on the roads have or would put off an MOT. Servicing a vehicle should be a priority for motorists to ensure their car is safe both for them and fellow drivers on the roads.

“With the new changes to the MOT, which can include free updates to advise motorists when their service is due, more motorists will actively take their car, on time, for a service.”

Co-op Insurance is currently exploring a range of new trials providing discounted MOTs for customers to encourage more motorists not to put off important car services.

Ends

Notes to editors

¹Research was conducted in May among 2000 UK motorists on behalf of Co-op Insurance with Atomik Research

Media Contact:

Emily Penkett
Email: Emily.penkett@coop.co.uk
Mobile: 07738621201
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