The latest research from Kwik-Fit reveals that a shocking 2.6 million motorists would regularly drive their cars, knowing it didn't have an MoT. Of these, 1.6 million feel that they are justified in making short trips and the other one million would be happy to drive any distance.

Kwik-Fit, the largest provider of MoTs in the UK, found that passengers are even less concerned than motorists about the dangers that a lack of a valid MoT could present - a massive 17 million would be prepared to be driven in a car that hasn't passed the test.

Men are twice as likely as women to drive without an MoT, Kwik-Fit can reveal, with 8% of male motorists prepared to do so, compared to just 4% of female drivers.

On a regional basis, motorists in North England and the Midlands are the least likely to drive an MoT-less car, with only 4% prepared to flout the law. This figure rises to 7% in the South East, and 6% for Scotland, Wales and the South West.

Ian Fraser, chief executive of Kwik-Fit, said: "It's worrying to see so many motorists being blasé about their car's MoT. As 35% of cars fail their MoT, there are millions of cars on the road that are likely to be unroadworthy and could pose a serious danger to the owner, their passengers and other road users.

"Not only could driving without an MoT affect your insurance cover but if you're prosecuted for this offence premiums rise on average by 43%.

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