Pressure for parts: Thegrowth ofMOT deserts

With more cars on the road and fewer MOT centres available, more drivers are having a tough time getting their cars tested and back on the road quickly.

We looked at where vehicle owners are struggling the most.

VEHICLES & MOT CENTRES IN THE UK:
  • 32.7 million cars on the road
  • +11.3%  increase in vehicles over the last 10 years
  • 22,692 number of MOT centres
  • 167 MOT centre closures between May 2023-2024
  • 1433  average cars per MOT centre (inc London)

GOPHR’S TOP TEN ‘MOT DESERTS’
(GB excluding London)

  • Milton Keynes | 3,621 cars / MOT centre 318,700 cars - 88 MOT centres
  • Swindon | 2,753 c/MOT 261,600 cars - 95 MOT centres
  • Brighton | 2,434 c/MOT 92,500 cars - 38 MOT centres
  • Leeds | 2,034 c/MOT 437,400 cars - 215 MOT centres
  • Sunderland | 1,911 c/MOT 118,500 cars - 62 MOT centres
  • Portsmouth | 1,707 c/MOT 116,100 cars - 68 MOT centres
  • Edinburgh | 1,455 c/MOT 180,500 cars - 124 MOT centres
  • Luton | 1,379 c/MOT 91,100 cars - 66 MOT centres
  • Birmingham | 1,370 c/MOT 426,300 cars - 311 MOT centres
  • Coventry | 1,228 c/MOT 147,400 cars - 120 MOT centres

MOT deserts 2024 - National View

Total number of MOT centres in GB:

2024:

22,962

2023:

23,129

2022:

23,296

INNTER & OUTER LONDON
TOP ‘MOT DESERTS’

  • Westminster | 12,500 cars per MOT centre 62,500 Cars - 5 MOT Centres*
  • Islington | 8,400 c/MOT 33,600 cars - 4 MOT Centres
  • Kensington & Chelsea |  4,762 c/MOT 38,100 cars - 8 MOT centres
  • Lambeth | 3,163 c/MOT 60,100 cars - 19 MOT centres
  • Sutton | 2,907 c/MOT 84,300 cars - 29 MOT centres
  • Southwark | 2,750 c/MOT 55,00 Cars - 20 MOT centres
  • Bromley | 2,641 c/mot 142,600 cars - 54 MOT centres
  • Hackney | 2,531 c/MOT 40,500 Cars - 16 MOT centres
  • Redbridge | 2,438 c/MOT 102,400 cars - 42 MOT centres
  • Hammersmith & Fulham | 2,405 c/MOT 45,700 Cars - 19 MOT centres

MOT deserts 2024 - National View

MOT centres in ULEZ Zones

There are 1362 MOT centres in London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) which aren’t going to be the destination of choice for drivers with non compliant vehicles, putting more pressure on centres on the outskirts of the zone.

Drivers also run the risk of being charged twice for ULEZ if the vehicle has to be kept overnight, further increasing the need for centres to clear backlogs quicker

MOST COMMON MOT FAILS IN GB ARE:

These are the most common reasons for your car failing its MOT.

Source: https://motorway.co.uk/sell-my-car/guides/what-fails-an-mot

Lights & Indicators

Suspension

Brakes

Tyres

Windscreen / Display

WHICH CARS FAIL THEIR MOTS
(AND WHY)

  • Ford Fiesta Suspension
  • Ford Focus Brake, Transmission issues
  • Vauxhall Corsa nothing related to MOT
  • Volkswagen Golf Handbrake
  • Vauxhall Astra nothing related to MOT fails

MOT deserts 2024 - National View

MOTs explained

A vehicle MOT is an annual test of roadworthiness, which applies to vehicles that are over three years old.

A typical MOT test takes around 45 minutes to complete and includes dozens of different checks on a car, including checking the brakes, electrics, windscreen wipers, and exhaust system. 

Once passed, an MOT certificate is issued, which is valid for one year with no grace period. Once a year has passed, the car is no longer legal to drive until a new MOT test has been completed.

SOME REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE HARDER
TO SOURCE THAN OTHERS

  • Manual transmission
  • Oil Cooler lines
  • Steering shaft
  • Aluminium valve covers
  • Dashboard panels
  • Radiator hoses

Relieving Delivery Pressures

With more cars and fewer centres, the onus is on speed and how quickly garages can get vehicles back on the road.

And that speed is often determined by how quickly you can get the part delivered.

Which is where Gophr comes in 👋 supporting OEM and motor factor suppliers with ‘just in time’ same day deliveries.

To find out more about how we can help, please get in touch below.