Drivers who take car in for MOT face having to 'abandon' them for good

More than half of drivers, motorists and road users are avoiding car maintenance checks in a bid to save on costs as the Cost of Living crisis continues.
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Drivers could be forced to abandon vehicles at garages amid rising costs. More than half of drivers, motorists and road users are avoiding car maintenance checks in a bid to save on costs as the Cost of Living crisis continues.

53 per cent of motorists have resorted to ignoring vehicle maintenance, such as servicing, to save money. More than half (56 per cent) of garages are expecting motorists, drivers and road users to delay vital repairs including MOT checks.

Bill Fennell, Chief Ombudsman and managing director of The Motor Ombudsman, said: “Households across the UK are facing some tough financial choices. While it may be tempting to cut back on car maintenance, this can lead to greater costs and safety risks down the line.

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"We therefore encourage households to prioritise essential repairs that ensure their vehicles remain safe and legal when on the road. By shopping around at Motor Ombudsman-accredited garages, who help consumers make informed decisions about maintenance, households can protect their finances and ensure their vehicles serve them well for years to come."

The Ombudsman warned that by postponing maintenance, car owners may suffer “compounded mechanical issues” which require costly repairs and could lead to decreased fuel efficiency and an increased risk of breakdowns.

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28 per cent of garages warned that customers could resort toabandoning their cars at garages if repairs become too costly or the vehicle proves “uneconomical” to fix. A "stagnant" MOT fee, capped at a maximum fee of £54.85 for cars, light commercial vehicles and motorhomes and £29.65 for motorcycles, is creating "serious economic risk" to the viability of the garage sector, warns the Independent Garage Association.

The IGA has written to the new Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander MP and also Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood MP, highlighting that the MOT fee cap has not changed for 14 years and this is causing significant financial strain on many testing stations.