With the significant rise in the cost of living for many across the UK, new data from LV= General Insurance (LV=) has found many motorists are avoiding repairs and servicing. According to LV='s breakdown provider, Britannia Rescue, the number of call outs where vehicles didn't have a MOT has increased by 78%.
The data also correlates with a 2% rise in MOT failures across the UK within the same period according to DVSA figures. Furthermore, 35% of these failures had at least one dangerous item. Failures for non-working headlights, indicators and reflectors accounted for just over a quarter (25.5%) of all MOT failures, while problems with brakes (17%), tyres (12%) and windscreens (8%) were in the top five reasons for failure.
Worryingly, the proportion of tyre failures has increased by 2% in the last three years, demonstrating motorists aren't replacing them as often as legally required. LV='s branded garages, report customers' cars involved in an accident, have seen a sharp rise in a lack of maintenance.
The top five issues are:
• Worn tyres the tread down to minimal legal levels
• Advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) not calibrated
• Warning lights ignored
• Chipped or cracked windscreens not being sorted
• Worn brake pad