Bedford Driving Lessons

The number of MoT failures has soared as cash-strapped motorists cut back on servicing and maintenance, figures showed. Soaring petrol prices and the recession has seen the number of cars and small vans failing the test rise form 8.4 million in 2006 to 10.5 million last year, according to the Retail Motor Industry. This is equivalent to just over 37 per cent of the total subject to testing and, according to the AA, the figure would have been higher but for the previous “cash for bangers” scheme which saw around 300,000 old cars taken off the road. An AA spokesman said a poll of more than 17,000 members earlier this year showed that one driver in five was cutting back on servicing. “That is a huge amount. The cost of fuel is taking a huge amount out of motorists pockets and they are looking to save money where they can. “These failures could be the tip of the iceberg hiding a motoring underclass who are driving cars with crumbling tyres and brakes which won’t stop a car in time.” “It is clear the recession has been having an impact,” said John Ball, the Retail Motor Industry’s MoT chairman. “People are running to a strict budget and getting pressures everywhere with the price of fuel rising as it has, you are having to absorb that extra cost More