Mail order specialists give MOT advice

According to the Vehicle and Operator Service Agency (VOSA), one-in-three vehicles fail the annual MOT.

Car Parts Direct, a mail order specialist, believes this is because owners fail to carry out simple checks and procedures that could easily prevent this from happening.

As well as this, a basic lack of understanding of vehicle maintenance is to blame.

Mark Cornwall of Car Parts Direct had this to say: "Something as simple as revving the engine before parking up for an MOT or adding injector cleaner to the fuel can be enough to help ensure a vehicle passes the MOT Emissions test - it's things like this that motorists can overlook."

Mr Cornwall also advises female drivers to be extra careful, in case they get conned by "rogue mechanics", who apparently see them as easier targets.

Women's cars are, according to a survey carried out by Car Parts Direct, 11 per cent more likely to fail an MOT.

Car Parts Direct recommends motorists should leave an MOT check list on the passenger seat of their vehicle when going for an MOT.

Using an MOT Station where vehicle repairs are not carried out could also increase the chances of passing the MOT first time.

Motorists are also advised to check the price of parts before being persuaded to have an MOT failure repair carried out.

Mark Cornwall added: "Some garages will offer a very low labour rate and then overcharge for supplying the parts to do the job, so it's always worth shopping around or asking the garage if you can supply your own parts.

"Whilst the majority of garages are run by honest hard working people it's unfortunate that garages still remain in the top ten of complaints to the trading standards office.

"I would always advise going to a garage that is personally recommended to play safe."