One out of seven drivers have been found to actively ignore a major safety rule while travelling on UK roads last year impacting the safety of millions.
It comes after reports revealed that more than 1.5 million vehicles with known defects may be on UK roads despite receiving warnings from MOT advisories.
The alarming figures found that 29 per cent of vehicles receive advisories during their MOT tests for issues that could become serious if left unaddressed.
The survey found that 15 per cent admitted to ignoring these warnings about potential defects, including faulty lights, damaged suspension and worn tyres.
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10 million vehicles received at least one advisory during their MOT tests last year
PA
The scale of the problem gets even bigger when looking at the report on a national scale with 10 million vehicles receiving at least one advisory during their MOT tests last year.
These advisories, while not serious enough to cause an immediate MOT failure, do indicate issues that if left unchecked could worsen over time and potentially compromise vehicle safety.
Lighting and electrical faults emerged as the most common issues, accounting for 25 per cent of all defects identified during MOT tests. Nearly a third (30 per cent) of these electrical faults, which include failing batteries and clouded headlights, are classified as major defects.
Suspension system problems make up one in five (20 per cent) of all advisories, with 22 per cent of these being classified as major issues.
Meanwhile, brake-related problems represent 16 per cent of advisories, with 29 per cent categorised as dangerous. The data also revealed visibility issues accounted for eight per cent of problems, while body and chassis concerns made up six per cent.
Less common issues included steering defects at three per cent, while seatbelt issues and road wheel problems each account for between one and two per cent of advisories. Noise, emissions and leaks represented six per cent of all defects identified during MOT tests.
While tyres represent only 13 per cent of all advisories, they present the most serious safety concern, with 60 per cent of tyre-related issues categorised as dangerous.
Electrical faults were only present in just one per cent of dangerous categorisations while suspension issues were at five per cent.
Paul Barker, editor of Auto Express said: “The minimumtyre tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm, and going below this can seriously compromise a car’s ability to grip the road and/or slow down.
“The fact that so many drivers are ignoring tyre-related advisories – the vast majority (60 per cent) of which are categorised as dangerous – is very concerning, as it means there could be more than 100,000 cars on the UK’s roads with seriously worn [tyres].
“Minor issues can turn into major, expensive repairs if left unchecked. And, if the issue worsens, it could lead to an MOT failure next time around, potentially leaving you without a road-legal vehicle until repairs are made.”
He added that for drivers who plan to sell the vehicle, buyers might be wary if they see recurring advisories in the MOT history as it could suggest neglect.
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Lighting and electrical faults were the most common issues found during MOT testings
PA
“Our free MOT Checker can help you do just that – just enter your car’s registration and you can check your car’s MOT advisories, when its next MOT test is due – and set a reminder – quickly and easily,” Barker stated.
