There are a couple of key DVSA warnings circulating, and they relate to slightly different things:

MOT Tester Training Deadline:A significant DVSA warning pertains to MOT testers themselves. There's a deadline of March 31st for MOT testers to complete their required annual training and assessments. Failure to do so results in suspension of their testing status. This is to ensure that all MOT testers are up to date with the newest standards. This information is being widely spread by the DVSA.

Driver MOT Checks and Reminders: Separately, the DVSA emphasizes the importance of drivers conducting basic vehicle checks before their MOT test. This can help identify and rectify minor issues that could lead to an MOT failure, thus potentially saving the cost of a retest.

Also, the DVSA promotes the use of their MOT reminder service. This is a free service that sends reminders via text or email, helping drivers avoid driving without a valid MOT, which can result in significant fines.The potential to save money comes from doing pre mot checks, and therefore reducing the likelyhood of a re-test fee.

Here's a breakdown of how these warnings relate to drivers:

For Drivers:

Pre-MOT Checks: Regularly checking things like lights, tire pressure, and fluid levels can help prevent MOT failures.

MOT Reminders: Signing up for the DVSA's free MOT reminder service helps avoid fines for driving without a valid MOT. You can sign up for this on the gov.uk website.

For MOT Testers:It's crucial that MOT testers complete their annual training and assessments by the March 31st deadline.Therefore the saving of the £54.85 is more related to the potential saving of a retest fee, by doing pre mot checks, rather than anyother saving.

But not all failures need to have happened with many being as a result of things which could have easily been corrected before heading to the garage. Experts say making some simple checks can reduce the chance of a fail - and save you cash in the long run.

A study found , which used a combination of survey data and official DVSA testing figures to estimate how many MOTs are needlessly failed. And they discovered the number of ‘easily avoidable’ MOT failures has risen by 133,000 over the last four years.This could mean drivers are less prepared when taking their cars to get tested compared to recent years and are losing millions as a result. Motorists are now being urged to perform a few simple checks before their vehicle’s MOT for the peak testing month of March.The firm found in the last financial year, there were 2.59 million failures that were caused by parts which drivers could have checked and resolved beforehand. In comparison, the 2019/20 financial year saw around 2.4 million failures caused by the same type of defects, indicating a gradual increase.The comparison site also found that around one in 10 motorists miss the window for a free retest when their car fails, meaning they have to pay for a second test. Based on the maximum MOT cost of £54.85, this means that the annual amount lost to avoidable retests might have increased by £770,000 over the last four years.a few simple checks before the test, so make sure you don’t make the same mistake.

“Check that all the bulbs are working properly and replace any that you need to, then measure the tyre pressure and take a look at the tread depth to see if it meets the minimum requirements. You should also look for damage to the car’s windscreen and wipers, before testing the washers. Remove any parking stickers, like those from festivals, from the windscreen too.