DON'T FORGET YOUR MOT!

40% of drivers in the South West have driven a car without a valid MOT.

Across the UK, 10 million vehicle owners have driven with no MOT.

67% admitted driving for up to a week without a valid MOT certificate; 24% for up to a month; 7% for as long as six months.

Motorists urged to check tests are up-to-date and to sign up for free MOT reminder at www.passmymot.co.uk as colder temperatures set in.

Jaybee Motors Banbury will perform a free 10-point visual inspection before the MOT to help prepare vehicles for the colder weather and avoid failing the test due.

Shocking new findings show that a third of motorists have driven a car knowing it has no MOT. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) surveyed 1,000 UK motorists and found that, of those that have driven a car without a valid MOT, 67% admitted driving for up to a week before the retest, 24% for up to a month, 7% for up to six months and 2% for more than six months.

The research has been carried out in partnership with car manufacturers and their dealer networks throughout the UK, including Jaybee Motors in Banbury, as part of the industry's 'Minute Or Two' initiative, which encourages motorists to carry out 10 simple visual checks of their vehicle prior to the MOT test.

By driving without an MOT, motorists risk fines of up to£1,000, as well as potentially invalidating their motor insurance, which itself counts as a driving offence carrying between six to eight penalty points. Cars older than three years also require a valid MOT before they can be taxed, with further fines for motorists who drive an untaxed car.

The research suggests men are more likely to continue driving after their MOT has lapsed - 35% of all male drivers say they have done so, versus 31% of female drivers.

There are significant regional differences in the findings, with 35% of motorists in the West Midlands having driven without a valid MOT. The East Midlands topped the table for remembering to carry out a car's MOT, with just 15% of motorists in the region saying they had previously forgotten. At the opposite end of the spectrum, drivers in the South West were most likely to drive without an MOT, with 41% admitting to the lapse (see full table below).

The data also suggests that younger motorists are worst at remembering the test date, with 39% of drivers aged 18-24 saying they have continued to drive after the MOT had expired. The most diligent motorists were 45-54 year-olds, with only 28% saying the same.

To prepare vehicles for the winter weather Jaybee Motors is offering customers a free 10-point pre-MOT visual inspection to help the vehicle avoid failing its test due to simple-to-fix issues and to ensure vehicles are in tip-top condition, ready for more dangerous road conditions. The full 'Minute Or Two' checklist (also at www.passmymot.co.uk), includes checks of headlights, tyres, windscreen wipers and fluid levels. The 'Minute Or Two' scheme is backed by every major car maker in the UK, with technicians at more than 5,500 manufacturer main.

Helping motorists remember to have their car tested each year; Jaybee Motors is also urging car owners to use the free MOT service reminder launched in partnership with the Trading Standards-approved garage network, Motor Codes. Available at www.passmymot.co.uk, the service will send motorists a reminder every year before their car's annual test of roadworthiness is due.

Jaybee Motors is one of the manufacturer main dealers recommended by Renault, Dacia and Fiat, and all its MOT and service work is carried out by manufacturer-trained technicians using the highest-quality diagnostic equipment and fully-approved parts appropriate to each specific vehicle. Using a manufacturer main dealer, such as Jaybee Motors, also assures the customer that any required software updates will be carried out to keep the car running at its best.

"Each year, a significant proportion of motorists forget their car's MOT, risking safety, fines and penalty points," explains John Dauphin, of Jaybee Motors. "When visiting Jaybee Motors, motorists can be sure of the most highly-trained technicians, using the parts manufacturers recommend along with the best diagnostic equipment.

"With the clocks changing and winter fast approaching, carrying out the pre-MOT checks is particularly important, even if your car is not due for its annual test, as these crucial checks will also help ensure the vehicle is prepared for the change in driving conditions."

For more information on getting a free pre-MOT check, visit Jaybee Motors on Oxford Road, Bodicote, Banbury, or call 01295 227100