Missing MOTs - Millions of Drivers ON The Road Illegally
Jessica Bird | Wednesday 11th March 2026 2:08pm
- One in six cars booked in for test only after MOT has run out
- 1.5 million cars with expired MOTs are not roadworth
New data released today by Kwik Fit reveals that millions of drivers are missing their MOT and are on the road illegally. Kwik Fit, the UK’s leading automotive servicing and repair company, is Britain’s largest MOT provider, with more than 500 MOT test centres across the country. It has found that over the last year, some 16% of cars – one in six – were only booked in for a test after their MOT had already run out.1
This data indicates that over the course of last year, more than 4.3 million cars needing an MOT were booked and tested too late. Of these cars, 50% had their test within ten days of their MOT expiring. However, many were much longer overdue, resulting in the average time between expiry and test being 33.7 days.
In addition to those which were booked after their due date, around 1.7 million cars were tested after their MOT had expired, despite being booked in before the MOT ran out. In total therefore, around six million cars underwent their MOT test after the expiry date.
With DVSA data showing that more than a quarter of cars (27%) fail their MOT, the figures highlight that as well as being illegal, over 1.5 million of these cars without a valid MOT would not be roadworthy.2 The consequences of booking the annual test too late are significant – there is the risk of a fine of up to £1,000 for driving without an MOT, but more importantly, the potential to be driving a dangerous vehicle.
Kwik Fit’s MOT programme is led by Dan Joyce, the company’s operations director. He said: “The MOT test may sometimes feel like a chore for drivers but it is essential in ensuring a car is safe and roadworthy. We all lead very busy lives and it is all too easy for the MOT to slip down the to-do list. That’s why we have a free reminder service and also allow people to book their MOT at Kwik Fit up to six months in advance.
“Drivers can book at their own convenience, secure their appointment slot, and be assured that their car will be tested well before their current MOT expires. That way, should the MOT reveal any defects which need to be fixed, drivers can plan their repairs and not have to panic at the last minute.”
Kwik Fit reminds drivers that a car can be tested up to a month (minus a day) before the MOT expires and keep the same renewal date. This gives owners more flexibility when choosing their test date – as long as they remember to book in advance.
Kwik Fit offers drivers the opportunity to easily check when their car’s MOT is due and also to register for a free MOT reminder service. Drivers can book their MOT up to six months in advance at Kwik Fit, ensuring they don’t need to try to find an appointment at the last minute.
Note to editors
Sources:
1. Kwik Fit data – Kwik Fit carries out more than one million MOTs each year. The company analysed all online bookings for MOTs carried out between July and December 2025, identifying the gaps between dates of booking, MOT expiry and test by each car. To gain average figures analysts identified cases where test was booked between one day to one year after MOT expiry.
2. DVSA data from April-June 2025, most recently published data - MOT testing data for Great Britain - GOV.UK
About Kwik Fit
Established in 1971, the Kwik Fit Group is one of the largest independent automotive parts, repair and replacement specialists in the world. Kwik Fit has over 600 service centres across the UK and more than 200 mobile tyre fitting vehicles, making it the UK’s leading tyre, exhaust, brake and MoT specialist. Details of its range of products and services can be found at kwik-fit.com
For further information please contact:
Brandon Stockwell
Gullwing Communications
Tel: 07768 747907
Brandon.stockwell@gullwingpr.com
