Close to 50% of vans in the United Kingdom fail their MOT, according to the latest figures from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), and now Business Vans, an online news and reviews publication, are reporting that many business owners in the UK are putting themselves at risk of attracting large fines and even jail sentences.

The warning comes after Business Vans interviewed Volkswagen Commercial head of service and parts, Kevin Rendell, who says that the numbers should act as a wakeup call to business owners.

“The fact that around 50% of all LCVs on the road are failing their MOTs is shocking news. However, more than a quarter of these failures could be prevented through simple driver checks.

“Furthermore, UK van owners are risking increased running bills, extended vehicle downtime periods and potentially a decrease in the overall resale value of their vehicle by not looking after their van properly,” he said.

Each year, there are more than 10,000 vehicles stopped and subject to roadside inspections, costing owners up to £4,000 a day per vehicle. Of these vehicles stopped, 63% have “serious mechanical defects” whereas half would fail the Class 7 MOT test.

Kevin also argues that most failures are easily avoidable with basic maintenance.

“When we analysed the most common causes of MOT failures, we found that in most cases simple things such as faulty bulbs, too little tyre tread, or even empty windscreen washer fluid bottles were to fault. In fact, a further quarter of failures are caused by brakes and suspension (15.3% and 14.2%) where standard routine maintenance would prevent the MOT failure and minimise the amount of downtime required for an MOT.”

Commenting on the story, UK Vanline, one of the country’s elite providers of commercial leasing, said that the figures highlight the pitfalls of owning a vehicle outright. A spokesman for the company argues that MOT failures aren’t a concern with leasing.

“The figures drive home just how much more beneficial leasing can be, especially if you’re on a limited budget and you don’t have the money to throw around on repairs. When you lease you don’t need to take the risk of driving old and banged up vans, and you can protect your leased van with monthly maintenance to achieve the smoothest and safest driving experience,” he said.

Continuing, “Better still, once your lease is up you can start a better plan with a newer model. That’s why more and more people who don’t have the finances to buy a quality new or used van are opting to lease instead.”

UK Vanline is based in Preston. They provide vans from all of the best known commercial vehicle manufacturers and are known for their low rates and flexibility. Visit their website today at www.ukvanline.co.uk to find the ideal van for your unique business needs.