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The DVSA said checking lights, tyres and screenwash clouds also help drivers avoid many common issues reported at MOT tests.
It has urged road users to be SAFE on the road, remembering to:
Service their car if necessary
Air in tyres,
Examine lights and tread depth
DVSA Head of MOT Policy Chris Price said the organisation would “recommend” a professional garage check for those unsure about any problems with their cars.
He said: “As schools return, some motorists will need to use their cars more often than they have been recently.
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“With more traffic on the road, we want to help everyone to keep their vehicle safe to drive.
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“It is encouraging to see that the majority estimate that MOT volumes will hold up during the peak months, but there is equally an element of concern that demand may also be lower than March and September last year.
“There will also undoubtedly be more challenging periods for businesses in between, such as in April and May, due to the knock-on effect of motorists using the government’s six-month MOT extension introduced in response to the pandemic.”
The Motor Ombudsman report found no clear consensus on the average miles consumers could have picked up since their last MOT test.
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But Mr Smith did warn he believed garages could be “moving forward” with installing more MOT connected technology.
The new tools make it impossible to input any information or MOT test results unless a car is sitting on the bed.
This cuts out the opportunity for scammers to break into a system and pass a car without the vehicle being present.
It also stops the risk of human error made by car mechanics who could accidentally put in the wrong details.
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This could eliminate road users being unfairly stopped by police offices for failing a test when there is nothing wrong with their cars.
“If you are shielding, you are not required by law to update your MOT test certificate.”
Drivers who do not have a valid certificate in place are only allowed to drive their cars from their home to a pre-booked MOT test.
Drivers can also drive their cars to a garage if they are going for repairs which could help the car pass its test.
Police might even ask to see evidence of your appointment to catch out those using their cars illegally.
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However, experts at Halfords have warned drivers could even face penalties for driving with a valid certificate if their car is still in a poor condition.
“However, motoring technology is continually advancing and the MOT has always been developed to reflect that.
“As more and more drivers have new technology in their vehicles, it is natural that they will get used to relying on these driver aids, therefore it is essential that these are regularly checked to ensure they will work properly in an emergency.”
KwikFit found drivers who have received an MOT failure in the past were most in favour of updating the test.
Those who had failed previously were 15 percent more likely to believe the changes should be made.
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The MOT test was last updated in May 2018 where stricter rules were imposed on a range of car parts as well as the introduction of new defect categories.