DVSA issues urgent warning as thousands of Brits may own cars which aren’t safe for UK roads without even realising

MOTORISTS have been urgently warned about owning classic cars that may be too dangerous for the UK roads.

New research has concluded that swathes of Brits could be using a vehicle that isn't roadworthy without even knowing.

DVLA has rang alarms on the increasing number of old cars that may look perfectly fine but aren't safe for drivers.

According to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, more than 7,000 classic cars in the UK had a voluntary MOT test.

UK motor laws exempt cars aged over 40 years from taking MOT tests - but drivers are still required to check their cars up and ensure they are safe to drive.

That means anything registered before 1984 gets a free ticket.

A total of 121,204 classic cars have undergone MOT tests with 20 per cent of them being classified as not unsafe for UK roads.

And one in five classic cars failed their safety tests between 2019 and 2021, according to the research.

With an increasing number of older cars failing voluntarily MOT tests, motor experts have urged drivers to take up optional tests.

Dean Allsop, director of Clayton Classics, said: “These MOT fail results for UK motorists are quite surprising and should act as a warning to all vehicle owners, no matter the age of the car, to consider the test.

“The good news is that classic car owners take a lot of care in their vehicles, and by taking a proactive approach to maintenance and checks, including an MOT, they can continue to enjoy their vehicle for years to come.”

“Classic cars should be used and enjoyed, so having a good network of trusted contacts who can offer appropriate testing, and advice really helps to get the best out of the vehicle.

"Keeping a classic car also comes with a level of responsibility, so an optional MOT that can be tailored to the features of the model is a sensible choice."

There are currently 1.1 million vehicles with a historic vehicle class in the UK, of which 600,000 still have a licence to drive on roads, news reports.

It comes after drivers were warned about a smile dashboard light that could knock up to £500 off its value.

While we all know that scratches, dents, and high mileage can put buyers off, many sellers are overlooking the impact that those pesky dashboard warning lights can have on their car's value.

Meanwhile, drivers could be slapped with a huge £1,000 fine and a failed MOT due to a little-known DVLA number plate rule.

Customised license plates are a common addition, however because of basic traffic restrictions, making jokes with specific wording could backfire.

And drivers were warned of an invisible "mechanic scam" which could cost them hundreds - but is actually easy to fix for free.

Expert mechanic Scotty Kilmer, who has been in the motor trade for over half a century, explained the sneaky trick on his YouTube channel.

He alerted motorists that a whole range of symptoms could be caused by manipulating a little-known component in the engine bay.

Meanwhile, it was revealed that drivers are ripped off to the tune of £1.6 billion a year as fuel retailers bump their margins.