The Most Overlooked Car Maintenance Jobs and Why They Matter
There’s no doubt about it. Drivers know they should be looking after their cars.
But millions neglect simple maintenance jobs in the UK that leave them open to costly breakdowns, MOT failures and driving without MOT.
It shouldn’t be that way…
Because most of these jobs are cheap and easy to do. Not only will they save you money in the long run, they’ll improve safety and performance instantly.
Here’s what’s covered:
- Why Skipping Maintenance Could Be Costlier Than You Think
- The Most Common Maintenance Jobs Drivers Keep Putting Off
- How Driving Without MOT Could Land You A Fine
- Simple Steps To Never Miss Anything Again
Why Skipping Maintenance Could Be Costlier Than You Think
Maintenance issues aren’t just annoying breakdowns on the side of the road.
They cause you to fail your MOT, invalidate your insurance and put you and others at risk of accidents.
Here’s a stat that may interest you:
According to government data, more than one in four vehicles failed their MOT test in the past year alone. That’s over 7 million MOT tests with 28% resulting in failure.
And you’re wondering why MOT stations are busy during June and July.
Most of these failures were caused by the driver neglecting basic maintenance that would have kept their car MOT worthy.
Driving without a MOT is also illegal. You can be fined up to £1000 on the spot and if your vehicle is deemed to be dangerous, the penalty jumps to £2500 plus you’ll get points on your license.
Oh and… your insurance company may refuse to pay out on your policy if you have an accident while driving without MOT.
The simplest way to avoid that headache? Keep up with your car maintenance and book an MOT online long before the expiration date looms.
The Most Common Maintenance Jobs Drivers Keep Putting Off
Here are the nasty maintenance jobs that seem to get overlooked month after month. They might seem small and insignificant… But these are the cause of the majority of MOT failures and breakdowns on UK roads.
Lights & Electricals
How could lights not being MOT worthy be the biggest cause of MOT failures?
Simple. Bulbs go, headlights dim, lenses crack and indicators become faulty. It’s inevitable that something will happen to your lights over time.
Checking them doesn’t take long. Walk around your vehicle with the lights on and check them all. Ensure your headlights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and number plate lights are functioning as they should.
Save yourself the stress of an MOT failure by replacing burnt bulbs or broken indicators. They cost next to nothing to replace. Failing your MOT will cost you time and money.
Suspension
With how horrible UK roads are at the moment, it’s no wonder that suspension is one of the leading causes of MOT failures.
Breaking speedbumps, potholes and rough roads destroy shock absorbers, springs and join bushes.
Suspension issues can be hard to spot if you’re not a mechanic.
There are signs that something is up though. Does your car bounce more than normal when you drive over speedbumps? Does one corner of the car seem lower than the others?
The quicker you can get it sorted, the less of a repair bill you’ll face down the road.
Tyres
Tyres are your only contact with the road. They constantly endure the stresses of driving and they’ll wear down over time.
Unless you regularly check your tires, you won’t know they’re worn until it’s too late.
The legal minimum tyre tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm.
Not only is driving on tyres with excess wear an MOT failure, it’ll land you with a fine of up to £2500 for each tyre and 3 points on your license.
Thankfully, you can use a 20p to measure the tread depth of your tires.
Insert the outer band of the coin into your tyre tread. If you can see the outer band sitting inside, it’s time for new tires.
But wait, there’s more!
Don’t just check for tread wear. Look over your tyres for bulges, uneven wear and cracks.
Any of these are indicators that your tires may not be safe to drive on. Get them replaced before you cause an accident.
Brakes
Brakes make up around 16% of all MOT failures. That’s because they wear down over time and need replacing.
Broken brake pads, corroded discs and low brake fluid levels are the most common reasons for brake-related MOT failures.
So what does that have to do with driving without MOT?
The brakes are your vehicle’s most important safety feature. If you feel a grinding noise when pressing the brake pedal, or the steering wheel vibrates, your brake pads or discs need to be checked.
Listen carefully when braking. If you hear knocking, grinding or squeaking sounds, book it into your local garage.
Windscreen & Visibility
Don’t be surprised if your windscreen causes you to fail your MOT.
Just because it’s not cracked or repaired previously, doesn’t mean it’s intact.
Worn windscreen wipers and obstructed views can also cause you to fail.
Little things like sat-navs hanging over your windscreen will be picked up. Police will also ask you to move off if your air freshener is dangling from your mirror.
As long as your windscreen isn’t cracked and your visibility isn’t obstructed, you should be fine.
How Driving Without MOT Could Land You A Fine
Listen carefully. Driving without an MOT isn’t a grey area.
It’s against the law and yes, you will get fined if you’re caught.
Driving without MOT will get you fined £1000 on the spot.
With police actively running number plate recognition cameras that compare against DVLA records to catch drivers.
If your vehicle is deemed to be dangerous to drive, that fine can rise to £2500 and your license will be penalised.
Your insurance is also at risk when driving without MOT.
Most insurers require you to have a valid MOT certificate in order for your cover to be valid.
If you have an accident driving without MOT, your insurance company can refuse to pay out on any damages or third party claims.
You would be personally liable for any costs.
According to recent findings, millions had to have their MOT renewed in 2024 but couldn’t due to maintenance failures.
That meant drivers were forced to drive without MOT.
Driving without an MOT isn’t smart. Just one missed MOT can end up costing you thousands if you encounter the wrong problem.
Simple Steps To Keep On Top Of It All
Keeping your vehicle roadworthy doesn’t have to be a hassle.
As long as you follow these simple tips, you’ll avoid the vast majority of maintenance issues.
Check your lights once a month. It takes two minutes and it’s the most common reason for MOT failures.
Regularly inspect your tyres for tread depth and damages. Damaged tyres are dangerous and likely to cause you to fail your MOT.
Listen to your car. Does it knock, grind or squeak when driving? Something isn’t right.
Keep your fluid levels topped up. Engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and windscreen washer fluid should all be checked monthly.
Book your MOT up to one month in advance. Yes, you heard that right. It can be booked one month before it’s due and it won’t affect the renewal date.
That doesn’t mean you can drive without MOT until the month of your due date.
As soon as your MOT expires, your vehicle is not legal to drive from midnight on the expiry date.
Take the month before as an opportunity to get it booked and enjoy driving with no worries.
Wrapping It All Up
While it’s great that drivers are keeping on top of servicing their cars, some rely on professionals to fix every problem that comes up.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
By looking after your car yourself you’ll avoid the dreaded failed MOT. These can often leave you unable to drive your car until the issue is resolved.
Lights, tyres, suspension, brakes and windscreens are the most common maintenance issues that cause cars to fail their MOT test.
Keep an eye on them between visits to your local garage and you’ll avoid any nasty surprises when MOT season comes around.
