Over 10,000 drivers received penalty points on their licences due to unroadworthy vehicles, new data analysed by the RAC’s mobile servicing and repairs division has found.
According to a Freedom of Information request made to the DVLA, and studied by the RAC, a total of 10,054 penalty point endorsements were given to motorists in Great Britain last year. Reasons including driving with defective brakes, tyres, steering, alongside numerous other problems.
This is a decrease of 3,055 endorsements compared to 2024. Then, figures totalled 13,109 citations. However, the RAC highlighted that this may be down to fewer traffic officers on the roads, rather than an increase in vehicle maintenance.
Driving a vehicle with defective tyres was the biggest reason drivers received points last year, with 6,670 people being stopped and having their licences endorsed. This can also attract a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre.
This highlights the continued work needed by the industry to educate drivers when it comes to educating drivers on tyre safety. As the highest endorsement volume, it seems there is an increased lack of attention to checking tyre tread depth and condition.
An additional 3,384 endorsements were handed to drivers for other problems relating to the roadworthiness of their vehicles such as defective steering or brakes.
Delving into RAC data
More drivers of unroadworthy vehicles were caught in Scotland than anywhere else in Great Britain last year, with 1,244 in total. This was followed by London with 1,182 drivers. Outside of the capital, the regions with the most drivers handed points for unroadworthy vehicles were Yorkshire and Humber (995), West Midlands (969) and the South East of England (950).
The offence attracts three penalty points which stay on drivers’ licences for four years.
But the RAC warns there are likely to be many more unroadworthy vehicles on the UK’s roads, as the figures only represent those who have been caught in the first place. With nearly 10m MOTs are failed each year, the number of vehicles being driven that don’t meet standards is likely to be far higher.
“Far too many vehicles are unfit for the roads, posing a danger not only to the driver, but to other road users as well,” said RAC Servicing and Repair Mechanic of the Year Jack Halstead. “Having bald tyres drastically reduces grip, greatly increases stopping distances, and raises the risk of blowouts. But whether it’s tyres, brakes, steering or something else, every mechanical component in a vehicle plays a critical role.
“And this is likely to be just the tip of the iceberg; with fewer police traffic units, it’s likely more offenders are evading officers and putting themselves and others at risk.”
