MOT WARNING: More Than a MILLION Vehicles On UK Roads Do Not Have An MOT - With Gen Z Four Times More Likely to Skip it than Older Generations

MOT WARNING: More Than a MILLION Vehicles On UK Roads Do Not Have An MOT - With Gen Z Four Times More Likely to Skip it than Older Generations

●      Gen Z are four times as likely to skip their MOT than older generations

●      And Londoners are three times more likely than average to give their MOT a miss

●      ‘Forgetting’ and cost key reasons vehicles are missing these vital checks

●      It could get worse - four in ten motorists ‘concerned’ about affording their next MOT

10th February, London: More than a million vehicles without an MOT are currently on UK roads, according to new research. 

What’s more, younger Gen Z drivers are four times more likely to skip an MOT than older generations. 

This is according to worrying new figures - released today from Halfords - showing that three per cent of motorists admit to having skipped their MOT in the past 12 months. 

With MOTs taking place annually, this suggests that there are currently 1.2 million vehicles on the road without an MOT. 

Gen Z are four more likely to skip MOTs than Older Generations

The research shows a worrying trend amongst younger drivers - six per cent say they have skipped an MOT in the past 12 months, double the national average. 

Indeed, eight per cent of Gen Z admit to having ever skipped an MOT - compared to three per cent of Gen X and two per cent of baby boomers, despite having been on the road for far less time. 

The research also shows that men are more than twice as likely than women to have ever skipped an MOT (3% vs 7%). 

It also revealed that those in London are more than three times as likely to have missed an MOT in the past 12 months versus the national average (10% vs 3%). 

Why do motorists skip their MOT?

There are a variety of reasons motorists claim for skipping an MOT. Over a third who did (36%) say they simply forgot it was due. 

Meanwhile over a quarter (27%) purposefully skipped it due to the cost of the MOT itself. A further quarter (25%) chose to skip because of struggles with motoring costs in general. 

The wider cost of living appears to be a factor - 61% of the British population reported they’ve experienced an increase in the cost of living meaning the situation may be getting worse. 

This could also contribute to the situation deteriorating - more than four in ten (42%) motorists currently say they are concerned about affording their next MOT. 

Of them, 69% report they are worried about unexpected repairs costs that might arise during an MOT and 50% are concerned about being able to afford it in light of the rising cost of living. 

MOT’s are an annual legal requirement to ensure vehicles meet safety and environmental standards. Those without an MOT are potentially dangerous, putting both the driver, their passengers, and other road users in danger. Not having an MOT can also carry fines of up to £1,000, six points in a license and invalidate insurance. 

Halfords Motoring Expert Andy Turbefield says: “Many people are feeling the squeeze financially, but skipping your MOT is a false economy. It can actually lead to greater financial burden if you get fined and if you were to crash your vehicle and a lack of an MOT invalidates your insurance, you could be out of pocket for far more. 

“MOT failures are often a result of low-cost issues such as a blown bulb or even low screenwash. At Halfords we offer those who sign up to our free Motoring Club a complimentary 10-point car check which, can help identify any issues ahead of an MOT, as well as offering  £5 off their MOT itself. Meanwhile the premium  membership - which costs £54 - includes a free MOT as well as £10 and £130 of savings, all of which goes a small way to making motoring that bit more affordable.”

Motorists can find more information on Halfords Motoring Club at https://www.halfords.com/motoring-club/

ENDS

For further information please contact Halfords@vccproar.com or 0207 932 3693

Notes to Editors

Working out of figures: 

According to the Department for Transport, there are currently 42.3 million registered vehicles on UK roads. 5% admitted to skipping their MOT previous. This equals  = 0.05 x 40,000,000 = 2,115,000 vehicles. Of them, 59% said they skipped in the past year. This equals 1,247,850 vehicles that are likely to not have an MOT from the past 12 months.

According to GOV.UK the maximum fine for driving with an MOT is £1,000

According to the House of Commons Library, in November 2025 61% of adults in Great Britain reported an increase in their cost of living

Research conducted by Mortar from 13-14 January 2026, amongst 2,015 UK motorists. 

About Halfords

Halfords is the UK's leading provider of motoring and cycling products and services. Customers shop at 404 Halfords stores, 3 Performance Cycling stores (trading as Tredz and Giant), 604 garages (trading as Halfords Autocentres, McConechy's and National) and have access to more than 200 mobile service vans. Customers can also shop at halfords.com and tredz.co.uk for pick up at their local store or direct home delivery, as well as booking garage services online at halfords.com.

Motorists can find more information on Halfords Motoring Club at https://www.halfords.com/motoring-club/

www.halfords.com             www.avayler.com          www.tredz.co.uk       www.halfordscompany.com