A SHOCKING number of British drivers say they can’t afford to take their car for its next MOT, putting other drivers at risk.

The rising cost of living has affected millions of drivers and a large number are struggling to make ends meet.

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New research has found that four in ten motorists fear they can’t afford their next MOT and half of them admit they would continue to drive their car anyway.

Nearly 40% of drivers confessed that they cannot afford their next MOT or think it would be too expensive.

Some 45% of them admitted that they intend to carry on driving without one.

Meanwhile, five million drivers across the UK admitted that they have been driving without a valid MOT certificate in the past year.

The study also revealed that four in five motorists are concerned about at least one motoring-related cost in the next 12 months.

The top three worries for drivers are fuel (62%), repairs (43%) and insurance (40%).

The study was carried out by Halfords in partnership with the charity Family Action.

Both are offering one thousand free MOTs to families who are struggling to make ends meet and rely on their car to get to work.

Chris Lunn, head of category at Halfords Autocentres, said: “The findings raise serious concerns about the ability of Brits to afford key, safety-related, motoring expenses like MOTs, as well as the potential dangers this could lead to in the form of millions of cars on our roads without an MOT certificate.

“Those struggling to make ends meet are most likely to not be able to afford their MOT – but for this group, it could lead to a dangerous cycle of poverty.

“Not