In this page we will cover:

  • why vehicle maintenance is so important
  • MOTs and the law around vehicle maintenance
  • advice on how to keep your vehicle safe
37 million cars and vans on Britains roads and
1 in 10
fail the initial MOT because of a dangerous defect

Why vehicle maintenance is so important

Proper vehicle maintenance is essential to keep yourself and others safe on the road. If you drive, you are operating a fast-moving piece of heavy machinery that needs to be kept in the safest possible condition.

Good maintenance can save you money as well as avoiding breakdowns or potentially devastating crashes. Badly-inflated tyres can mean you use more petrol, while putting off minor repairs can make them far more costly in the long-run.

Vehicle defect statistics

30+
road deaths, in Britain, every year, have a vehicle defect as a contributory factor to the crash
350+
serious injuries on the road, in Britain, every year, have a vehicle defect as a contributory factor to the crash
6%
of all vehicles, at MOT, are found to have a dangerous tyre defect

MOTs and the law around vehicle maintenance

Drivers and fleet operators have a responsibility to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and well-maintained. If safety critical parts such as brakes and wheels are not kept in good repair, this could cause the driver to lose control or fail to respond in time in an emergency, with potentially fatal results.

You can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get 3 penalty points for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

The MOT test

In the UK, all cars, motorbikes and light passenger vehicles must pass an annual MOT test once they are three years old (known as 3-1-1 frequency). These tests are intended to confirm that vehicles meet roadworthiness and environmental standards.

If vehicles are kept well-maintained throughout the year, with any defects noticed and remedied promptly, they should be able to pass the test. However, MOT results show that many drivers do not pay enough attention to routine maintenance.

MOT failure rates

1 in 3
cars and vans fail their initial MOT
1 in 5
cars and vans are found to have a major defect, at MOT
1 in 10
cars and vans are found to have a dangerous defect, at MOT

A vehicle with a dangerous defect poses a direct and immediate risk to road safety (or the environment) and is illegal to use

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Keeping your vehicle safe

Drivers should carry out regular ‘walk-round’ checks of their vehicle, once a week and before any long journeys, which need only take a few minutes.

If you have any suspicion at all there’s a problem with your vehicle, take it to a garage immediately – putting it off could cost you cash, result in a breakdown, or worse, lead to a serious crash.

FLOWER checks infographic
What to look out for in a 'walk-round' check of your vehicle Down arrow icon to open accordion
  • tyre tread wear. Look out for tread wear indicator bars on tyres – small bumps in the main grooves which indicate the minimum tread. Change your tyres well before your tread gets to the legal minimum (1.6mm in the UK). Brake recommends replacing at 3mm, as tyres can be dangerous in wet conditions with less than this.
  • tyre pressure. Buy a hand-held tyre pressure gauge and check the pressure weekly, when the tyres are cold. The correct pressure will be written in your vehicle’s handbook.
  • general tyre condition. Check for cracks, bulges or bubbles on the sides of your tyres. These are signs that the tyre is damaged and at risk of blowing out. If you see any of these, get the tyre checked by a professional, and replaced if necessary.
  • lights are working. Check lights are clean and bulbs aren’t blown (reflect against a wall, or ask a friend to help).
  • oil, water and fluids. Check oil and water levels, and other fluids such as power steering, windscreen washer and brake fluid, are well above minimum levels.
  • wiper blades. Check they are in full working order and replace if worn.
  • wheel fixings. Check wheels and wheel fixings for defects, including loose nuts.
What to look out for when driving a vehicle Down arrow icon to open accordion
  • problems with or noises from your brakes. Brakes usually make a noise when worn, but if you notice any problem with them, get them checked immediately by a professional mechanic. It’s a good idea to test brakes weekly and at the start of long journeys, following your walk-round checks, by applying them gently while driving very slowly on a flat, empty stretch;
  • warning lights on your dashboard;
  • excess noise or smoke from the exhaust;
  • smoke from under the bonnet;
  • fluid leaking from under the vehicle;
  • smell of hot electrics, fuel, or a burning smell;
  • unusual sounds from the engine;
  • a pulling sensation from the steering.
A Brake survey of UK drivers found that
1 in 3
perform vehicle safety checks once a year or less
Vehicle maintenance: Safe driving report

Brake and Green Flag, 2020

Check your vehicle is safe to drive

www.gov.uk

Professional servicing

You should never try to fix safety-critical components on your vehicle yourself. Always use a qualified mechanic to work on your vehicle and make sure you get your annual MOT and your vehicle is serviced in line with your vehicle handbook.

Just because a vehicle has passed an annual test or been serviced, it doesn’t mean it will be safe until the next service. A brake pad (the material that keeps your brakes working) may be only just above legal now, and worn out and dangerous well before your next service. Talk to your garage about the level of wear on brake pads and tyres, and any other problems your vehicle might experience in the coming months, so you know if you should pay them a visit between services.

References Down arrow icon to open accordion