Car warranty provider Warranty Direct has found that nearly 40% (36.8%) of cars and vans failed their MOT last year.

The company analysed MOT and vehicle testing data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and claims on its own policies and found the most common MOT issues are costing UK drivers almost £1 million annually.

Electrical issues, including blown bulbs, were the most common reason for failure, followed by suspension and brake issues.

According to Warranty Direct, Renault, Seat, Bentley, Ford and Mitsubishi cars suffered the highest number of electrical faults.

Simon Ackers, CEO of Warranty Direct, said: “The most recent high MOT failure rates are of significant concern. The results indicate a large proportion of drivers are not taking the necessary safety measures when it comes to their vehicles.”

While the electrical improvements of newer cars can enhance automotive performance and safety, they can cause more failures due to the complex nature of parts. However, many smaller electrical faults could be avoided by drivers carrying out consistent maintenance tasks more regularly between MOTs.