Chewing seatbelts and soiling the upholstery are some of the ways your pet dog can cause you to fail an MOT, and leave you with an expensive repair bill. Car and van leasing firm Select Car Leasing has revealed the steps motorists can take to protect their vehicles from their pets.
Graham Conway, Managing Director of Select Car Leasing, said: “Many people train their dogs in the home but neglect to prepare them for car journeys. Being in a vehicle is a new experience for a lot of pets and can cause anxiety, which can result in upholstery being scratched, seatbelts being chewed and floors being soiled.
“Not only can damage to the interior cost owners in repair bills, it can also make cars hazardous and therefore fail an MOT.”
Mr Conway recommends securing your dog in the car correctly, so they cannot distract the driver or injure themselves or anyone else in the vehicle. “Securing your dog also helps them stay in one spot and not get their paws or mouths on anything they shouldn’t,” he added.
“You might also consider giving your pet one of their toys or treats to chew on, in case they do start to get restless. Many dogs chew on upholstery or seatbelts if there are no other options there. Damage to the upholstery can be pricey to fix, but damage to seat belts can put lives at risk.
“Even if the damage seems minor, it can be detrimental to the seatbelt’s function. And even if it’s a seatbelt you don’t use, having a faulty seatbelt can result in your car failing its MOT, which can harm your wallet and take time to get it fixed.”
Having a clean car is also important before taking your car for its MOT, as the tester may refuse to complete the checks. So make sure your pets belongings and fur are tidied up before you go. Select Car Leasing recommends taking regular breaks if your pet is on a long car journey, and to familiarise them with the car by taking short journeys first.
Mr Conway added: “This can make sure your pet has plenty of opportunity to go to the toilet, rather than being tempted to soil themselves in the car and ruin your car’s surfaces.”
