A new MOT deal has been struck by FleetCheck and Prestige Fleet Servicing to support fleets during an expected “flood” of September tests.

According to DVSA estimates, an additional 580,000 MOTs will be needed this month due to the MOT exemptions granted earlier in the pandemic

According to DVSA estimates, an additional 580,000 MOTs will be needed this month due to the MOT exemptions granted earlier in the pandemic. Analysis by Prestige Fleet Servicing estimates a total of five and a half million cars legally deferred their MOT.

To support its customers, FleetCheck has struck a deal with Prestige Fleet Servicing under its affinity programme. Prestige, part of the AA since 2019, provides expert fleet service, maintenance and repair at more than 500 approved garages across the UK, and the deal gives FleetCheck clients a discounted MOT rate of £35 and the ability to book anywhere across its network online.

Andy Kirby, customer success director at FleetCheck, explained: “From our software, we could see that a significant number of our users had MOTs becoming due this September, and we wanted to do something to help them.”

He added: “We believe that it is a very good deal.”

It’s the latest warning for fleets to take action on MOTs now.

Last month saw ATS Euromaster advise operators to “book MOT and workshop repairs or risk vehicle downtime”.

Its data for 2020 showed that MOT activity peaked in mid-September through to mid-November as drivers rushed to get MOTs completed following the Covid extension.

And ATS Euromaster said it’s already seen an increase in drivers arriving at its centres with lapsed MOT certificates, with drivers facing fines up to £1,000 and invalidating insurance policies as a result.

ATS has also cautioned that the surge in demand for MOTs is coinciding with increased levels of servicing requirements from van fleets which have been operational throughout the pandemic, along with fleet vehicles coming back into full-time service as the economy cranks back up to speed.

Mark Holland, head of operations, said: “We advise anyone who can bring their vehicle in for an MOT earlier to do so, otherwise increased demand will affect availability and could impact vehicle uptime.”

To cope with the expected surge in maintenance work, ATS Euromaster is adding new lanes to 17 key locations as well as upgrading test lanes in eight of their centres to make them more efficient. Additionally, the centres will have more trained technicians, sufficient stock and will be open longer.