One in five ignore MOT advisories, research shows

• 21% of motorists say they don’t take any notice of advisories highlighted on their MOT test

• 12% believe that if advisories were important, their car would fail its MOT, and 10% report they can’t afford the repairs

• However, 44% say that advisories are important to keeping their car safe, shows May’s Startline Used Car Tracker

More than one in five people (21%) say they ignore “advisories” highlighted on their MOT test, according to new research.

May’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows that 12% believe that if advisories were important, their car would fail its MOT, while 10% say they can’t afford to get the advisories carried out and 5% report that they only get their car repaired when it breaks down.

Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “Advisories are notes on your MOT test certificate indicating potential issues with your vehicle that, while not serious enough to cause an immediate failure, should be addressed soon to maintain roadworthiness and prevent future failures.

“While they are not immediately essential by their nature, they are listed because they will probably need attention soon, and it’s worrying that so many motorists choose not to get them carried out – either because they think the repairs aren’t important or because they can’t afford them.

“Perhaps the biggest concern is the one in 20 people in our research who indicate they deal with maintenance in an entirely reactive manner, only repairing their car when it breaks down. This could be potentially dangerous.”

However, the Tracker also shows that 79% of people look seriously at their advisories, with 45% always getting them carried out and 44% saying they are important to keep their car safe – although 10% only implement the most important items. 

Paul said: “Our research also shows that almost four out of five people consider their advisories and almost half recognise the importance of their role in keeping their car safe and roadworthy, which is encouraging. However, there is clearly a wide spread of attitudes when it comes to the MOT test and car maintenance in general.”