LEAVING your car in a real state could see you facing a hefty fine.
Drivers who let their motor become a bit of a pigsty can jeopardise safety for anyone travelling in the car – and also result in paying a £100 penalty.
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So, it’s important that you give your wheels a bit of TLC before heading out on the road.
Jamie Louram, Halfords car cleaning buyer, has put together some top tips on what to look out for – and how to avoid a penalty and ensure your car is safe to drive.
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He said that while there is no fine specifically for having a messy interior, too much litter could fall under the careless driving rule.
If found to be driving without due care and attention, police can issue on-the-spot fines of £100 and three penalty points.
More serious cases can go to court and result in a £2,500 fine and disqualification.
Jamie said it is therefore vital to keep your car clear of clutter, particularly in the footwell to prevent anything getting stuck under the brake pedal and on the dashboard which could block your view.
This also goes for anyone taking their driving tests.
Paul Turner said his 17-year-old daughter was “distraught” when she failed her test before even turning the engine on because her car was “too dirty”.
The teen had been waiting months for the slot before she rocked up to Blackpool Test Centre, but the examiner refused to even get into the car as there were tiny pencil rubber filings on the carpet underneath the passenger seat.
Jamie told The Express: “Whilst there is no fine for having a messy interior, clutter if bad enough can also fall under the careless driving rule leading to a fine of up to £100.
“As a general rule, keep your car clutter-free to avoid any dangerous situations such as things getting stuck under the brake pedal or blocking your view.
“If you do tend to err on the side of messy when it comes to your car, a bin is a great solution.”
And it’s not just mucky interiors that can land you in hot water.
It’s just as important to keep the outside of your vehicle squeaky clean.
‘KEEP THINGS CLEAN AND CLEAR’
A dirty windscreen is not only dangerous but it can be seen as careless driving which can result in a £100 fine and three points on your licence.
Mucky mirrors can also limit your vision, and also seen you fined the same amount.
And obscured number plates can lead to fines of up to £1,000 if the digits can’t clearly be read.
Jamie said: “It’s crucial to check that your mirrors are clean and clear every time you use your car, as anything that may obstruct your vision will make it dangerous to drive.
“Any kind of dirt or grime on the windscreen can be incredibly dangerous as it can impact your view of the road ahead.
“In some instances having a dirty windscreen could be seen as careless driving and land motorists with a fine of up to £100 and points on the license if an accident occurs as a result.
“Grime can build up on the windscreen over time, so give it a good wash to ensure visibility is at its optimum whilst out on the roads.”
He recommended always keeping a pack of wipes on board to quickly clean up any spillages, and keeping the glove box in good order.
He also suggested installing a small bin, cleaning out the boot periodically, or even fitting a boot organiser to prevent any fines.
