Thousands of dangerous cars on the roads this Christmas
17th December 2019
Thousands of dangerous cars on the roads this Christmas
Drivers are being urged to check their vehicles before taking to the roads this Christmas, as figures show almost 50,000 cars that were late for their MOT test last December were classified as dangerous.
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) statistics reveal that in December 2018 of the 1.5 million cars tested, 385,859 had a late MOT and were driven illegally. 49,588 of those tested late then failed as a result of a dangerous defect, such as bald tyres or broken head lights.
With up to 3 million extra car journeys each day in the lead up to Christmas, the DVSA is urging drivers to carry out 5 simple road safety checks on tyres, lights, brakes and windscreens and make sure the car has an up to date MOT. They've also produced a new seasonal film about the five checks.
Chris Price, DVSA's Head of MOT Policy, said:
"DVSA's priority is helping everyone keep their vehicle safe to drive.
"It's easy to forget your car's MOT amid the hustle and bustle and seasonal cheer, but making sure your car is safe before you set off is crucial.
"Carrying out 5 simple checks and making sure your car has a valid MOT will help you and your family have a happy Christmas and will help us keep everyone safe on Britain’s roads."
The figures show that of all vehicles late for an MOT, three quarters were because car owners forgot it was due. But DVSA’s free and simple to use MOT Reminder service takes away the hassle of having to remember when the MOT is due.
Drivers can also check whether the car has a valid MOT using DVSA’s free MOT History service. They should also ensure the vehicle is properly taxed and insured.
DVSA’s 5 simple car safety checks
Check your brakes
Brakes need to work properly as they are fundamental to your safety when driving a vehicle.
You can test the brake pedal each time you drive the car. If it feels different, the brakes make a noise or if the vehicle pulls to one side, you must contact your local garage as soon as possible.
Check your lights
Your headlights, sidelights, indicator and brake lights all need to be working and clean.
Turn on all the lights and walk around the car. Give them a tap to check they’re not loose or damaged and check the colours are correct and match. Your car manual will explain how to change a bulb, or your garage can do this
You can test brake lights by reversing up to a garage door or window and pressing the brake. Look for a reflection in the rearview mirror.
You should check your lights once a week and before a long journey.
Check your tyre tread
The legal tyre tread depth for cars is 1.6mm (this is different for motorcycles) and the condition of your tyres is key to your safety. This is especially important when roads are wet and icy.
Turn the steering wheel fully to the left or right. Look for the treadwear indicators which are at the bottom of the tyre grooves. If they are flush with the level of the tread, you need to replace the tyre.
Another good rule of thumb is the 20p test. Insert a 20p coin into the groove on the tyre. If the tread covers the outer band of the coin the tyre depth is legal. Check the tread depth is even across the tyre.
Tyre tread needs to be checked once a month and before a long journey.
Check your tyre pressure
Tyres need to be correctly inflated, without any cuts or bulges. Correctly inflated tyres reduce the risk of accidents, will last longer and will save you money on fuel.
Your car manual will tell you the right pressure for your tyres. Most petrol stations and garages will have a pressure gauge and air pump, so check when you fill up. At the same time look out for bulges and cuts.
You should check your tyre pressure once a month and before a long journey.
Check your windscreen wash and washers
Windscreen washer fluid helps to keep your windscreen clean. You need to check fluid is topped up and the windscreen wipers work, without streaking water.
When the engine is cold, lift the bonnet, check the windscreen washer bottle and top up if necessary. Using washer fluid will help prevent the washers freezing in winter.
Check the windscreen wiper blade by sight for wear and tear. Your car manual will tell you how to change the windscreen wiper blade or your garage can do this.
You should check the windscreen wash and washer once a month and before a long journey.
It is illegal for vehicles to be driven without an MOT. Drivers face a fine of up to £1,000 if caught. Additionally, the fine for driving a dangerous vehicle can be as high as £2,500.
The MOT is a once a year health check, but motorists must keep their vehicles safe to drive all year round. DVSA’s advice on top five things to check on their vehicle includes:
Brakes - Defective brakes caused 521 vehicle accidents in 2018. 15 of these were fatal
Lights - including headlights, sidelights, indicator and brake lights. 14.9% of vehicles fail their MOT on lights
Tyres - 459 accidents were caused by defective or under inflated tyres in 2018. 17 of these were fatal
Windscreen wash, washers and wipers. Obscured windscreens caused 118 accidents in 2018
Top ten MOT failure reasons (Class 3&4) are:
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment - 14.9%
Suspension - 10.3%
Brakes - 8.8%
Tyres - 6.8%
Visibility – 6.1%
Body, chassis, structure – 4.7%
Noise, emissions, leaks – 3.9%
Steering – 2.2%
Seat belts – 1.5%
Identification of the vehicle – 0.5%
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is an executive agency of the Department for Transport.
Its priority is to help keep everyone safe on Britain’s roads. It does this by:
carrying out spot checks on lorries, buses, drivers and operators, and issuing over £6 million in fines pear year, while working with the police to investigate heavy vehicle collisions
setting the driving, riding and theory tests and carrying out nearly 4 million tests each year, while regulating 40,000 driving instructors
setting the MOT test and overseeing nearly 40 million MOTs each year, while regulating 60,000 MOT testers
carrying out over 750,000 annual tests on lorries and buses to ensure they are safe
overseeing around 400 vehicle safety recalls per year
