Record numbers of vehicles failed their MOT due to tyre defects in the past year, newly released figures have shown.
According to data from the DVSA, 2.15 million vehicles saw a test failure due to tyre defects. Worryingly, 36% of these failures, equating to more than 750,000 vehicles, had previously been flagged with tyre-related advisories. This could indicate that drivers are ignoring warnings, and pushing tyres beyond their limits.
Leaders across policing, government, road safety and industry have now united to demand urgent action on tyre safety.
Worrying numbers of tyre defects
The DVSA data shows that 2,152,849 vehicles failed their MOT on tyre defects in 2023-24. This is up from just over two million in the previous 12-month reporting period, and has risen steadily from the 1.83 million level recorded in 2019-20.
As a result, a group of key road safety stakeholders, including the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and TyreSafe, is demanding tighter safety regulations, warning that lives are being put at risk.
The data has been analysed by Verifleet, a UK vehicle compliance platform that helps fleets and businesses stay roadworthy. Verifleet is supporting campaigners in their call to tighten the law and close the dangerous gaps in tyre safety enforcement.
Safety must come first
With this serious safety risk escalating, campaigners are calling for mandatory follow-up action within three months of any tyre defects advisory, such as driver alerts, prompts or proof-of-replacement requirements, to ensure tyre defects are not left unaddressed.
In 2023 alone, 1,695 people were killed and more than 139,000 were reported injured in collisions on the UK’s roads, with defective tyres recognised as a significant and preventable factor in many crashes.
Tyre safety is critical because tyres are the only part of a vehicle that makes direct contact with the road. Worn, underinflated or damaged tyres significantly increase braking distances, reduce grip and stability, and raise the risk of losing control, particularly in wet or emergency conditions.
In the UK, tyre safety is only formally checked once a year at MOT, with no mandatory inspections or reminders in between.
Drivers often receive a tyre advisory at MOT, warning that tread is low or tyres are wearing unevenly – a sign they should be replaced soon, before becoming unsafe. But with no legal obligation or follow-up system in place, the onus is entirely on the driver to do the right thing.
Drivers ignoring advisories
In reality, many drivers ignore the advisory, as there is no system in place to ensure they act on it – often continuing to drive until the next MOT, when the tyres may be dangerously bald or defective. Campaigners warn this regulatory gap is putting lives at risk.
Sophie Lyden, a Lancashire garage owner and independent tyre safety campaigner, also known as ‘The Tyre Lady,’ said: “As a tyre professional, I am genuinely shocked at the state of some tyres that pass MOT tests,” commented Sophie Lyden, owner of Westgate Tyres and social media star. “I see vehicles turn up with tyres that are cracked, bald or barely roadworthy – and who knows how long they have been driven like that.
“The current standards simply are not strong enough to guarantee safety. Without tougher regulations and higher testing standards, we are leaving lives at risk on our roads.”
Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, added: “The escalating number of MOT failures due to tyre defects, particularly the significant proportion linked to ignored minor defects and advisories from a previous MOT, presents a deeply worrying picture for road safety in the UK.
“These figures strongly suggest a widespread lack of attention to a component that is literally the only contact between a vehicle and the road. This latest data serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for not only all drivers to prioritise regular tyre checks and act immediately on any warnings received, but also for consistent compliance with the legal standards regarding tyre condition.”
