How to overcome MOT anxiety and the fear of car garages

The term ‘MOT Anxiety’ has gained a lot of traction in the last couple of years, with more people opening up about their feelings of anxiety when visiting car garages, talking with mechanics or dealing with the financial side of having work done to their car. 

If you feel nervous about calling a car garage, scared you’ll look stupid in front of mechanics, or fear that you’ll be overcharged for vehicle maintenance - you’re not alone. 

With searches for ‘MOT anxiety’ up 33% in the last 12 months, it’s clear that many Brits are not feeling confident when booking their car for its mandatory annual check. 

To fully grasp how much this fear affects drivers across the country, we surveyed 2,000 Brits to uncover how the nation is feeling about MOTs, car garages and driving in general. At Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, we’re on a mission to empower drivers and give them the confidence they deserve.

Key findings: 

• 53% of men and 62% of women would feel uncomfortable going to a car garage alone
• 1 in 3 women have paid for work to be done on their car without understanding what is being done to their car
• 33% of people Google what’s wrong with their vehicle to avoid going to the car garage
• 51% of men say they can explain ‘in detail’ car parts that don’t actually exist
• 1 in 4 men have had insults shouted at them while driving
• 20% of drivers have asked a loved one to book their car service or MOT out of sheer anxiety about contacting the car garage
• 23% said they know someone who has been the victim of sexism when behind the wheel

Since every car in the UK is required by law to have an MOT performed once a year, owners are unable to avoid a trip to the garage, no matter how much they might want to. 

Car garages are a great resource for learning about your vehicle and determining when and what kind of maintenance is required. With guidance from professionals in the field, car garages are a fantastic place to learn and receive best-in-class advice on everything auto-related. 

While many people have had excellent experiences with car garages around the country, it seems that a lot of people are struggling with anxiety when needing to approach their local garage. 

The main area of concern focuses on the topic of money, with our study finding that 37% of people worry about how much they could be charged for work to be done to their car - 1 in 4 (23%) even worry that they could be overcharged because of their gender. 

1 in 3 (33%) Brits also admit to Googling the cause of their car’s default to avoid contacting a car garage due to fear. 

Other worries stem from the jargon used by mechanics being difficult to understand (22%), worrying they’ll look stupid (21%) and being embarrassed about the cleanliness of their car (16%). 

Young drivers are also most likely to ask their parents for help when booking an MOT with 30% admitting to this. With this in mind, it comes as no surprise that Gen Z are the biggest sufferers of auto anxiety, with 22% delaying car services due to fear.

Our study uncovered a shocking statistic - a staggering 62% of women would feel uncomfortable visiting a car garage alone. 

While this could be due to many reasons, our survey found that 27% of women think that mechanics treat men and women differently due to their gender. 1 in 10 (11%) also said they know someone who has experienced sexism at a car garage. 

Due to this, 28% of women have asked a loved one to book their MOT for them - 14% even admit to ignoring the warning lights on their car to avoid a trip to the car garage. Interestingly, 59% of women say they pay for breakdown cover to avoid visiting a car garage. 

Our study shows that women seem to be experiencing more than just embarrassment at car garages. Because of their gender, they’re afraid they might be overcharged, with a third of women admitting to paying for auto repairs without fully understanding what they’re paying for - and 37% fear they are paying more because they are female. 

However, our research suggests that women are not only facing problems when visiting car garages, but also when behind the wheel in general, with 1 in 4 admitting to knowing someone who has experienced sexism when behind the wheel. 

Sadly this does have consequences and 1 in 3 women stated they would not want to work in the automotive industry, this number indicates a deep-rooted issue in why women feel the most disconnected and afraid of the industry. 

It appears women are not the only ones fearful of visiting a car garage. Shockingly, over half of men (53%) would feel uncomfortable going to the car garage alone, and would rather be accompanied by someone they know. Our survey also found that 78% of men feel some level of anxiety when having to visit a mechanic.

While there may be many reasons for this anxiety, our study highlighted some key ones. 

14% of men say they wouldn’t want to ask or answer additional questions about their car in case they don’t know the answer. Shockingly, 1 in 4 men have had insults shouted at them while driving, often on the receiving end of road rage.

Interestingly, it appears that men are combating their auto anxiety in different ways than women. Instead of delaying their MOT or ignoring warning lights, 31% of men have learnt how to do basic car maintenance to avoid visiting the car garage. 

43% of men also said they would be comfortable changing a tyre if their car broke down, compared to just 11% of women. 

When looking at regional breakdowns, our study shows that Birmingham is the city suffering from auto anxiety the most. 

• 37% of Brummies fear they’ll be overcharged because of their gender, more than any other region.
• 52% of Brummies are worried about how much it will cost before the work is undertaken as they struggle to understand car costs
• 38% of those in Birmingham also find the jargon mechanics use hard to understand
• In Birmingham, 30% also worry they’ll embarrass themselves or look stupid because they don’t know what they’re talking about, more than any other city

In 2021 it was reported that 81% of the automotive industry was male and just 19% was female. Despite recent efforts to improve gender balance, the automotive industry is a male-dominated field, and although many garages may provide friendly environments and helpful support, some female customers have expressed discomfort and embarrassment.

It’s clear from our study that much of the nation is struggling with auto anxiety, and it affects people of all demographics and backgrounds. However, what can car garages do to help the issue?

Our study found that 38% of Brits would feel more comfortable in a car garage if their mechanic is understanding.

It also seems that communication is a huge aspect causing anxiety, with 37% of drivers wanting mechanics to break down every cost. 1 in 3 favour receiving a text or email detailing all the work that needs to be done before they pick up their car, instead of a phone call or in-person meeting. 

32% of women and 28% of men said the mechanic not using jargon would allow them to understand exactly what they were paying for. 

Overall, it is recognised that to help Brits feel comfortable and understood within the automotive industry, mechanics must continue to act professionally by giving thorough information about the maintenance and expenses associated with each driver's specific car. 

It’s important to note that many car garages are aware that people are experiencing anxiety and many are trying to combat this and make people feel as comfortable as possible. 

To gain a further understanding of how car garages are making people feel more at ease, we spoke to a car garage. 

A spokesperson from M.R. King & Sons commented on how they ensure people feel comfortable when booking an MOT or service with the company. 

1. Online booking forms and WhatsApp booking options are available 
   If people would rather not speak to a car garage, having multiple booking options is a great step. We offer an online booking form, as well as WhatsApp booking, so customers can choose the way they would rather communicate with us.
2. Reminder letters in the post
   To ensure our customers know when their MOT is due, we send reminder letters to let them know it’s time to book their MOT in again. This acts as a helpful nudge as it can be something that sneaks up on you.
3. Calling the customer to make sure they’re all booked in 
   Once a customer is all booked in, we give them a call to let them know they’re all booked in, confirming the time and specifics of their visit. This helps everyone to feel at ease and sure of the work being done to the vehicle.
4. Sit them down and talk through each cost in detail 
   To make sure customers understand all costs, we break down each piece of work in detail to ensure everyone is aware of the work being undertaken and not blindly agreeing to repairs they don’t understand.
5. If the car fails its MOT, we will give them an idea of the costs beforehand
   It’s important to make sure customers are aware of costs before work is carried out on the car. We always give an idea of cost so the customer knows exactly what they could be paying for the work needed - this helps to avoid any surprises and makes sure everyone is happy and comfortable. 

While you can largely leave the car knowledge up to the mechanic, it is wise to have a basic understanding of jargon, common car scams and car parts before booking an MOT or service. 

While most car garages are extremely reputable and ready to help with any needs, unfortunately sometimes you may come across one which uses scam techniques to benefit financially. 

Be aware of these three common car scams and ensure you are asking questions and being briefed correctly by your mechanic. 

1. Overcharging
   A garage may quote one price when you first drop off your car and then charge more when you pick up your vehicle, without a proper explanation for the reason for each charge. If you feel that you’ve been overcharged, do your research and ask for a full breakdown of costs from your mechanic - once explained, the costs may make more sense or may be reduced.  
2. Unnecessary repairs
   A garage may suggest unnecessary repairs that your vehicle may not need, be sure to ask for a detailed breakdown for each part and why it was needed. If you think you may be paying for unnecessary repairs, try to get a second opinion and speak to the garage. If you are still feeling pressure to make unnecessary repairs, it could be worth taking your car to a different garage.
3. Using cheap parts
   A garage may use low-quality or used parts to save money but still charge you the same price for a new, high-quality part which you believe you will be receiving. If you think your car has been supplied with cheap parts, it’s always best to get a second opinion and discuss this with your garage - if you’re paying for a service you want to ensure it’s good quality. 

Have you ever found yourself picking up your car after its MOT, nodding absently as a technician uses technical terms you don't understand?

To help avoid scams and allow you to fully understand some of the tricky terminologies that mechanics commonly use, we have created a guide to help you at your next visit to the garage.

• ABS - Anti-lock braking system, which prevents wheel locking and slipping when the brakes are applied.
• Brake torquing - A performance test that involves suddenly applying the brakes, then accelerating in gear, and then releasing the brakes.
• Hybrid - A car has an electric motor in addition to its engine for extra power
• Chassis - The load-bearing section of a car that supports the vehicle's underside components
• Blown Head Gasket - A common problem when the oil and water in the engine mix that can cause further damage

While there are many car parts you may hear when taking your vehicle to the car garage, there are some common ones that may crop up at your appointment. 

1. Battery

According to our study, 60% of people believe they can explain ‘in detail’ how a car battery works. The car battery is a very important part and if it goes wrong it will cause a whole host of problems. If your car battery has died, typically, your car won’t be able to start.

2. Brakes

More than 1 in 2 (54%) Brits say they can confidently explain the role of brakes in a car. Brake health is crucial for all cars. If your brakes fault, your car may not be able to stop or slow down correctly, which can be extremely dangerous. Most modern vehicles have ABS, which uses sensors and electronics to prevent a car's wheels from locking up when braking, this helps maintain steering control and avoid skidding. Brake pads may also need replacing if they appear to make a ‘squeak’ when in use. 

3. Shock absorbers

Shock absorbers enable you to drive smoothly. They do this by converting the kinetic energy created when your car drives over a bump, into thermal energy. This thermal energy is then dispersed and enables you to drive comfortably throughout your journeys. If you start to experience a bumpier journey without a clear explanation, or stiffness during steering, it may be time to seek help and replace your shock absorbers. 

4. Other car parts

Our study shows that many people are already quite confident they know the key car elements - however, there does seem to be a large gender split - shockingly, 1 in 3 women admit they would not be able to name or explain any car parts ‘in detail’. 

However, the most surprising result is that more than half (51%) of men say they can name and ‘explain in detail’ car parts which don't actually exist. It seems their confidence may have hazed their judgement, as 1 in 10 men believe the Flux Capacitor is a real car part. If you are not familiar with the Flux Capacitor, it is a fictional device from the Back to the Future film series that enables time travel. 

Men also claim they can confidently explain, the exhaust belt (16%), battery filter (14%), horn fluid (12%) and suspension hook (12%) - again, these are all fictional car parts. 

It’s unclear whether the iconic film was so impactful it made some believe the part was real, or if the pressure on men to be knowledgeable in the automotive space happened to get the best of them. 

If you’re struggling with anxiety when visiting car garages or when behind the wheel in general, remember that you’re not alone - our guides page is always on hand to provide informative advice for any occasion that may arise. If you are looking for a leasing package which includes all car maintenance, consider one of our Complete Care cars for ultimate ease. 

Nationwide Vehicle Contracts commissioned a survey of 2,000 Brits who drive via OnePoll in August 2024, with a focus on people’s attitudes and experiences with car garages - from their experiences with mechanics to how they approach booking an MOT/service. The survey criteria were as follows: UK adults aged between 18 and 65+ who drive from 30 different cities.