.png)
The number of motorists driving dangerous cars is now at a ten-year high, experts warn.
Some 12,300 drivers were fined up to £5,000 last year after police discovered they failed basic safety checks — up a fifth in just a year, according to Green Flag breakdown recovery.
Neil Greig, director of policy and research at motoring organisation IAM RoadSmart, says: 'The cost-of-living crisis has led to people struggling to pay bills — and car maintenance is one of the areas affected.
Car costs: While an MOT typically costs £50, a full service might be £200
'It is a false economy, as not only are you driving a dangerous vehicle, but problems can get worse and become more costly to fix. And if you are caught with your car in an unroadworthy condition, you also face severe penalties.'
Almost half of all fines are for defective tyres. Getting caught with a car fault can incur a 'vehicle defect rectification notice' — for instance, for a broken brake light.
You can fix a light yourself for around £5; a mechanic will charge you in the region of £50, so doing it yourself could save a small fortune over time.
The average fine was £270 and was typically for tyre faults — with the tread level of at least one tyre falling below the required minimum of 1.6mm, despite the vehicle having passed an earlier MOT.
Mr Greig says many people mistakenly believe that if their car has passed its annual MOT test, it is safe for at least 12 months. However, drivers should not confuse this with a full service, which includes a far more thorough safety check.
While an MOT typically costs £50, a full service might be £200. Fortunately, you can save money by doing much of the service check yourself.
Ensure tyres are safe
The minimum legal tread depth for a tyre is 1.6mm. Even if your car passes its MOT with treads of 3mm, the tyres can still go bald within the next 12 months.
According to the Motoring Industry Research Association, 3mm tread has 25 per cent better performance than 1.6mm — the equivalent of an extra eight metres of stopping distance in wet conditions.
A 20p coin can be used to check the tyre tread limit, says the RAC. Simply place the edge of the coin into the main grooves. If the outer band on either side of the coin is obscured when it is inserted, then your tread is above the legal limit and more than 1.6mm.
But if this thin band along the outside rim of the coin is still visible, your tyre may be illegal and unsafe.
The penalty for being caught below this is up to £2,500 per tyre — plus three penalty points.
Changing tyres is a job for experts as equipment to remove and replace an old tyre is expensive. Cars also need balancing once tyres have been changed to ensure they still sit evenly when the car is on the road.
The total cost of replacing a tyre and balancing is typically £110, according to website Checkatrade. Ideally, you should change all four tyres at the same time to ensure the car is balanced correctly.
You should also check the pressure of your tyres once a month. An underinflated tyre cuts fuel efficiency by 10 per cent — so can cost £100 a year.
The required level can be found on the sill of the driver's door or the car manual. A pressure gauge with an electric pump that plugs into a cigarette lighter socket costs around £25.
The pump should be stowed away with a jack and wrench set (around £20) in the boot.
If you discover a flat tyre, the car manual can guide you on jack points on the car.
The RAC offers a free, step-by-step guide on changing wheels on YouTube.
Check lights and fluids
You can find guidance on replacing bulbs for headlights, indicator or brake lights on YouTube. Try O'Reilly Auto Parts.
Open the bonnet and you will often find plastic caps that cover the light fittings that need to be clipped or screwed off.
Next, disconnect the light wire socket from the lamp. You can usually either pull out the lamp mount with the bulb or screw it out anti-clockwise — then replace the unit with a new bulb. Read your car manual for specific requirements.
Check the lights monthly at the same time as the tyre pressure — plus engine oil, coolant and screen wash levels.
