Drivers avoid maintenance and use faulty tires to save money – survey

A fifth (20%) of drivers under 44 admit to breaking the law by using faulty tires or avoiding an MOT, according to a new survey.

According to a survey of 2,691 British drivers by the RAC, around 10% of motorists of all ages are guilty of at least one of these behaviours.

MOTs check a range of vehicle parts such as lights, seat belts, tires and brakes to ensure they meet legal standards.

Cars in the UK usually need to be submitted for an MOT after three years of use, and then annually until they are 40 years old.

The maximum charge per vehicle is £54.85, including repair bills.

For car tires to be considered legal, they must always meet certain requirements regarding factors such as tread depth and condition.

Nearly one in five (19%) drivers surveyed said they had tried to save money by putting off needed car repairs, or had either reduced or stopped servicing their car due to cost.

The RAC warned that this could result in more vehicles being damaged and could become a “false economy” if it leads to higher repair bills in the future.

RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: “It is very worrying that so many drivers under the age of 44 appear to be risking breaking the law by failing to have their cars MOT’d and driving them on tires that should have been replaced, all in an attempt to save some money.

“Safety on our roads comes first. MOT is a legal requirement for good reason: missing it jeopardizes the safety of all road users, including the driver.

“Tires are the vehicle’s only contact with the road, so it is important that they are in good condition and have adequate tread.

“Those drivers who choose not to maintain or repair their vehicles may think they are saving money, but they could very easily be faced with a much higher garage bill for something that could have been fixed sooner.”

Drivers can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT.

Police can fine drivers caught using illegal tyres, although legal action may be taken in serious cases or for repeat offences.

The survey was conducted by research company Online95 between March 23 and April 15.