A fifth (20%) of drivers under the age of 44 admit to breaking the law by using flat tires or avoiding an ITP, a new survey suggests.

Around 10% of drivers of all ages are guilty of at least one of these actions, according to the survey of 2,691 UK drivers commissioned by the RAC.

MOTs check a range of vehicle parts such as lights, seat belts, tires and brakes to ensure they meet legal standards.

Cars in the UK usually have to be submitted for MOT first after three years on the road, then annually until they turn 40.

The maximum charge for a car is £54.85, with repair bills on top.

Vehicle tires must at all times meet specific requirements to be considered legal, related to factors such as tread depth and condition.

Nearly one in five (19%) drivers surveyed said they tried to save money by delaying needed vehicle repairs or reduced or stopped vehicle maintenance due to cost.

The RAC warned that this could lead to more cars breaking down and be a “false economy” if it leads to higher repair bills in the future.

RAC breakdowns spokesman Simon Williams said: “It is very worrying that so many drivers under the age of 44 appear to have been at risk of breaking the law by failing to have their vehicles MOT’d and driving them with tires that should have been replaced, all in one go. to save some money.

“Safety on our roads is paramount. MOT is a legal requirement for good reason: failing to do so puts the safety of all road users, including the driver, at risk.

“Tyres are a vehicle’s only contact with the road, so it is vital that they are in good condition and have sufficient tread.

“Those drivers who have made the decision not to have their cars serviced or repaired may think they are saving money, but they could easily find themselves facing a much higher garage bill for something that could have been cheaper to fix sooner.”

Drivers can be fined up to £1,000 for using a vehicle without a valid MOT.

Police can fine drivers caught with illegal tyres, although court action could be taken for serious cases or repeat offenders.

The survey was conducted by the research company Online95 between March 23 and April 15.