More than a third (35%) of UK motorists would rather fix minor car issues themselves than pay for a professional.

The figures come from new research by eBay UK.

March is the busiest MOT month of the year, so there will likely be plenty of advisories to contend with.

Cash costs

Saving money is a key reason for the use of home motor skills. However, the worry is that some attempt to avoid dealing with issues altogether.

According to eBay’s study, 34% of motorists delayed getting MOT advisories fixed last year. This was due to rising living costs. Another 33% stated that they were unable to afford the repairs.

With one-in-10 claiming they don’t think advisories are a big deal, it’s no wonder that nearly a quarter (22%) admitted to delaying repairs for as long as possible.

Shining a light

The most common MOT failure issues were also revealed. Inoperative lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (23%) came top, followed closely by suspension (18%), brake issues (14%) and defective tyres (13%). Many of these can be easily avoided with simple maintenance and regular checks.

Arjang Salehi, Category Lead – Vehicle Parts and Accessories eBay UK Ltd, said: “According to eBay research, 45% of motorists dread the prospect of an MOT more than going to the dentist (34%) and this anxiety is caused by fear of the unknown. What’s the garage going to find and how much is it going to cost to put it right – those are the biggest fears.”

Hannah Gordon, eBay UK’s expert mechanic, said: “The car is an essential part of many people’s lives, so being without it due to an MOT fail plays into the dread many people feel around the annual test. Minor faults such as frayed windscreen wipers can often be easily replaced, and by searching on eBay UK you can save time and money by sourcing and fitting the parts yourself.”

Places and problems

Using data obtained from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) via a Freedom of Information request across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, eBay has also identified the locations with the highest average MOT failure rates in 2023, as well as the top reasons for failing the MOT test.

Top 10 places with the highest MOT failure rates

  1. Kirkcaldy – 37.38%
  2. Llandrindod Wells – 36.37%
  3. Dundee – 36.30%
  4. Truro – 36.13%
  5. Plymouth – 36.02%
  6. Exeter – 35.67%
  7. Torquay – 35.63%
  8. Salisbury – 34.20%
  9. Bristol – 34.11%
  10. Bath – 34.05%

Top 10 reasons for MOT failure

  1. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment – 23%
  2. Suspension – 18%
  3. Brakes – 14%
  4. Tyres – 13%
  5. Visibility – 10%
  6. Body, chassis, structure – 7%
  7. Noise, emissions and leaks – 6%
  8. Steering – 4%
  9. Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems – 2%
  10. Identification of the vehicle – 0.75%