Drivers urged to report cars that are ‘too dangerous’ to be on the road

Motorists are being urged to report to the police any vehicles that seem too dangerous for road use. If anyone spots a car that doesn't have an MOT, they are encouraged to inform the authorities, providing essential details such as the number plate, make and model of the car, as well as its colour and location. DVSA officials have warned that drivers without an MOT could face fines of up to GBP1,000.

The call for public assistance was made through a post by the DVSA on X, which seeks to clamp down on perilous driving. They said: "Do you know of a car that has no MOT? Unchecked vehicles can have dangerous defects, putting everyone on the road at risk."

The agency included a link directing individuals to contact local police about vehicles without an MOT. Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here[1]. Earlier in the year, data released by Select Car Leasing indicated that over five million drivers might be forgoing their vehicle tests.

Information provided to the DVSA via a Freedom of Information request revealed there might be around 5.2 million cars on UK roads lacking a valid MOT certificate, reports Devon Live[2]. As per the report from the Express, roughly a third of these cars only took their MOT retests a month after the due date, while 3.4 million got tested within three months of expiry. Graham Conway, Managing Director of Select Car Leasing, commented: "MOTs are essential for ensuring that cars on the road are safe and roadworthy.

Common reasons for failing an MOT include issues with lights and signals, suspension and brakes. Not presenting a vehicle for an MOT on time might mean that crucial safety concerns are overlooked." The RAC warned about the severe consequences of driving a vehicle considered 'dangerous', outlining fines up to GBP2,500, three penalty points on a driver's licence, or even a possible ban from driving in some cases.

Additionally, the RAC pointed out the risks related to driving with an expired MOT certificate, saying: "If you have missed your test and your certificate has expired, you can be prosecuted for driving without an MOT."

They further clarified the distinction between the MOT and service by adding: "The MOT and service are two very different things and it's important to have both carried out to keep your car road legal and in peak condition."

References

1. ^ Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ Devon Live (www.devonlive.com)