Drivers in Bristol are being urged to book their MoT tests as soon as possible because there’ll need to be more than 12,000 extra tests in October than usual.
The Bristol-based Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency, which runs the MoT testing programme, is warning of a surge in demand for MoTs this autumn, as a knock-on effect of last year’s coronavirus pandemic lockdown.
With testing centres and garages forced to shut because of Covid for much of 2020, there was a six month exemption from March 30 last year - and that meant there was a sudden surge in MoTs this time last year when that period ran out.
READ MORE: Main road into Bristol to close again for two weeks
And that means that this year, those year-long test certificates will run out again at the same time, putting huge pressure on garages in the Bristol area once again.
The head of the DVSA warned that it could be increasingly harder to get a testing slot as September turns into October and the autumn continues, so the advice is to book early or even get the test done earlier than normal.
Analysis by the DVSA of past and present data showing which vehicles would need an MoT and when reveals that the autumn surge in demand will be felt the most in certain cities across Britain - and Bristol is one of them.
The extensions mean that more vehicles will now need an MoT than usual, and Bristol will see an extra 12,431 tests having to be carried out in the city during October alone.
The MoT rules mean that you can have a test done up to a month before the current certificate expires and it will run for 12 months from that expiry date, so people are being urged to get booked in now.
“DVSA’s priority is to help everyone keep their vehicle safe to drive,” said the DVSA’s head of MOT policy, Chris Price.
“While we’re sure everyone will be able to get a test for their vehicle, slots will be harder to come by. If you want to use your usual garage and guarantee a slot before your expiry date, you should give them a call now and get it booked in,” he added.
“The DVSA is also reminding drivers that the law states vehicles need to be kept in a roadworthy condition all year, regardless of when the MOT is due.
"This means if a vehicle is found to be unsafe at any time of the year, due to tyre wear or poor brakes for example, they could be fined or have points on their licence,” he said.
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