7:59 pm, October 19, 2011
AS many as 165,000 ‘58′ plate cars could be being driven around illegally according to new analysis.
September and October are typically the busiest months for MOTs and this year over 450,000 three year old cars will lose their ‘MOT virginity’.
More than half (55 per cent) of 58 plated cars were registered in September and October, the first two months of the six month registration period.
But with 36 per cent of motorists failing to remember when their MOT is due and booking a test in advance, this means there could be 165,000 ‘58′ plate cars on the road illegally.
Analysis from Kwik Fit shows that one in five ‘58′ registered cars requiring an MOT by the end of October are Fords, Vauxhalls or Volkswagens and the company is advising drivers of these marques in particular to check their MOT expiry date. Of the 458,647 registered in September and October 2008, the largest ten manufacturers accounted for 69 per cent of the total.
David White, customer services director at Kwik Fit, said: ‘This time of year sees a big spike in cars needing their first MOT test as a result of September sales peaks feeding through three years later.
‘Our research has shown that up to half of all drivers forget when their MOT is due, especially if it’s the first time for that car. This analysis shows that those driving particular makes with 58 registrations should check their MOT due date, as they may find that this has been and gone and they are inadvertently driving around illegally.’
