Research has suggested that around a tenth of cars could have a dangerous defect following the six-month MOT extension given to motorists during the coronavirus pandemic.

The study, conducted by BookMyGarage.com, follows research from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) which stated 9.1 per cent of MOTs are failed as a result of what are deemed ‘dangerous faults.’

The figures also don’t take into account vehicles that are less than three years old or more than 40, both of which don’t need MOTs.

The most common faults include lights, reflectors and electrics – accounting for 13.9 per cent of failed tests, as well as suspension and brakes – making up 9.7 per cent and 8.1 per cent respectively.

At the end of March, the government decided to extend MOTs on cars that expired after March 30 by six months to avoid motorists needing to get an MOT during the COVID-19 crisis. 

Despite the MoT extension though, the DVSA claims that by the end of June, testing had reached 70 per cent of normal levels and was continuing to grow. From August 1, an extension will no longer be granted and MOT testing will resume as normal. 

When the extension was announced at the end of March, the DVSA stressed the importance of making sure you vehicle is kept in a roadworthy condition and the drivers of any vehicles that didn’t meet correct standards could face prosecution.