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.
GOPHR’S TOP TEN ‘MOT DESERTS’
(GB excluding London)
MOT Deserts are areas with the most cars per Test Centres and therefore more likely to experience longer lead times for booking slots. They may also face delays on the test day. In the worst case cars may have to stay in overnight due to workload and/or pressure sourcing key parts in these busy areas.
- 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
NB This list is built taking the 30 biggest cities in England, Wales and Scotland (excluding London) and looking at the number of cars registered to each city and the number of active MOT test centres in each city:
Calculations were made using these sources: https://maps.dft.gov.uk/transport-statistics-finder/index.html (data set VH0105) & https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/active-mot-test-stations
MOT deserts 2024 - National View
INNTER & OUTER LONDON
TOP ‘MOT DESERTS’
If you live in London, it could be even harder to get an MOT booked! Gophr’s Top Ten MOT Deserts across all London Boroughs are:
- 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
*Westminster “MOT Desert” size is skewed due to the geographical location of the borough
Calculations were made using these sources: https://maps.dft.gov.uk/transport-statistics-finder/index.html (data set VH0105) & https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/active-mot-test-stations
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
Source: AM Online
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)
Is your car likely to suffer one of these common failures? We have researched the best selling cars in Britain…and looked at the recognised weak spots that make them vulnerable to some of the most common MOT fails:
- Ford Fiesta Suspension
- Ford Focus Brake, Transmission issues
- Vauxhall Corsa nothing related to MOT
- Volkswagen Golf Handbrake
- Vauxhall Astra nothing related to MOT fails
Source: MOT fails source data
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.
Source: GOV.UK
SOME REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE HARDER
TO SOURCE THAN OTHERS
Some car parts are harder to source and this can delay MOT completion. The 6 trickiest parts to source parts follow.
- Manual transmission
- Oil Cooler lines
- Steering shaft
- Aluminium valve covers
- Dashboard panels
- Radiator hoses
Source: tricky parts
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.
