This means that for nearly 13 million motorists, the MOT test could be the only time their vehicle undergoes any kind of safety inspection.

According to the survey carried out on behalf of Kwik Fit, one in 10 (10%) UK motorists confessed they ‘never’ check their tyres and nearly one in seven (15%) admit they are currently experiencing a problem with their brakes but are not actively looking to repair it.

The findings reinforce the importance of the MOT test for road safety throughout the UK, especially in the month of September – the month which sees the highest number of MOTs than any other. September 2010 accounted for a sixth (17%) of the year’s new car sales, and these 335,246 cars will need their very first MOT before the end of the month.

Roger Griggs, director of communications at Kwik Fit, commented: “It is very concerning to find that so many motorists are thinking of skipping their next service – especially considering the number of drivers who don’t make their own checks on their car. Tyres, brakes and lights are all crucial to road safety, so it is vitally important that they are regularly checked, and not just left until the MOT is due.”

Drivers in the South West are the most likely to skip their next service, where a staggering 45% admit they will do. This is double that of motorists in Scotland, where 22% say they will skip their next service – the lowest in the UK.

The number of drivers who admit will skip their next service by region are:

South West 45%
North West 44%
London 43%
East of England 42%
East Midlands 41%
Wales 40%
South East 36%
Yorkshire & Humberside 36%
North East 36%
West Midlands 34%
Scotland 22%