Scots least likely to suffer 'avoidable' MOT failures

Motorists in rural Scotland are less likely than those in any other part of Britain to fail their MOT as a result of simple, easy-to-fix, issues such as blown bulbs, worn tyres and cracked windscreens.

The research, conducted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders, indicates that around 1.5 million MOT failures each year could be avoided if motorists carried out simple visual checks of their vehicles and forewarned their dealer of any issues, before the annual test of roadworthiness.

The Orkney Islands had the lowest number of avoidable fails, with only 13% of issues being of the type that an owner could have identified in advance of the MOT. In joint second place were the Hebrides and Shetland, with a 13.6% ‘fixable’ failure rate.  

At the other end of the spectrum was Central London with a figure of 46%.  The national average was 22%.

Most avoidable MOT failures
1    Central London    46.4%
2    South West London    35.4%
3    Bromley    34.3%
4    Ilford    33.9%
5    North West London    33.3%
6    Kingston    32.7%
7    Sutton    32.3%
8    Harrow    31.0%
9    East London    30.8%
10    Croydon    30.6%

Fewest avoidable MOT failures
1    Orkney    13.0%
2=    Hebrides    13.6%
2=    Shetland    13.6%
4    Berwick-on-Tweed    14.0%
5    Kirkcaldy    15.1%
6    Bradford    15.3%
7    Sunderland    15.4%
8    Inverness    15.5%
9    Aberdeen    15.8%
10=    Hull    15.9%
10=    Stoke-on-Trent    15.9%

% of all MOT fails considered 'avoidable'

The findings were highlighted as part of the motor industry's ‘Minute Or Two’ campaign, which encourages motorists to carry out ten visual checks of their vehicle prior to the MOT test.

“The aim of the ‘Minute Or Two’ campaign is to give motorists the knowledge and confidence to check their own vehicles and eliminate the possibility of simple problems, such as lights and fluid levels, causing a fail at the vehicle’s next MOT test,” Mike Baunton of the SMMT said.

The full ‘Minute Or Two’ checklist, which can be viewed at www.passmymot.co.uk, includes checks of headlights, tyres, windscreen wipers and fluid levels. The website also features a video guide to the checks.

The campaign is also backed by every major car maker, and technicians at 5,545 manufacturer main dealerships across the UK are ready and able to assist customers who might be unsure about doing the checks themselves.