More Than 10,000 UK Drivers Penalised for Driving Unroadworthy Vehicles – Why Regular Checks Matter

More than 10,000 motorists across Great Britain received penalty points in 2025 after being caught driving vehicles deemed unroadworthy, highlighting the continuing importance of regular vehicle maintenance and thorough MOT inspections.

New figures obtained by the RAC from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) show that 10,054 drivers were issued licence penalty points for using vehicles with serious mechanical defects including worn tyres, faulty brakes and defective steering components. While this represents a reduction compared with the previous year, road safety experts warn the figures are likely to represent only a fraction of the true number of unsafe vehicles on UK roads.

Tyres Continue to Be the Biggest Offender

According to the RAC’s analysis, defective tyres remain by far the most common reason motorists receive penalty points.

Illegal tyre tread, damaged sidewalls and other tyre defects accounted for thousands of endorsements issued during the year, underlining a problem that MOT testers encounter daily.

Tyres are one of the few components in constant contact with the road surface, making their condition critical for:

• Braking performance
• Steering control
• Vehicle stability
• Wet weather grip
• Overall stopping distance

Driving with tyres below the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread can result in significant penalties, while also dramatically increasing the risk of collisions.

Other Common Vehicle Defects

The DVLA figures also show drivers were penalised for vehicles suffering from defects including:

• Faulty braking systems
• Defective steering components
• Suspension faults
• Lighting defects
• Other mechanical safety issues

Most offences resulted in three penalty points, although more serious cases can lead to higher penalties, fines and even prosecution depending on the severity of the defect.

Scotland Recorded the Highest Number of Cases

Regional data showed the highest number of drivers caught operating unroadworthy vehicles came from:

1. Scotland – 1,244
2. London – 1,182
3. Yorkshire & the Humber – 995
4. West Midlands – 969

These figures demonstrate that vehicle safety remains a nationwide issue rather than one confined to specific regions.

The Real Number Could Be Much Higher

Despite the reduction compared with the previous year, the RAC believes the official figures may not tell the whole story.

With fewer dedicated roads policing officers than in previous decades, many defective vehicles may simply never be inspected by police before eventually reaching an MOT test station, or worse, becoming involved in a collision.

RAC mechanic Jack Halstead warned that many unsafe vehicles continue to operate on UK roads, placing both drivers and other road users at unnecessary risk.

What This Means for MOT Testers

For MOT garages and testers, these statistics reinforce the crucial role the MOT scheme plays in maintaining road safety.

Many of the defects resulting in police penalties are the very faults routinely identified during MOT inspections.

This provides an opportunity for garages to:

• Educate customers about preventative maintenance.
• Encourage regular tyre inspections between MOTs.
• Promote interim vehicle safety checks.
• Highlight advisory items before they become dangerous failures.
• Explain the legal consequences of ignoring vehicle defects.

While the MOT provides an annual snapshot of a vehicle’s condition, garages can also encourage motorists to carry out simple monthly checks on tyres, lights, fluid levels and brakes to reduce the likelihood of dangerous defects developing.

Driver Responsibility Doesn’t End After the MOT

One common misconception among motorists is that a valid MOT certificate guarantees they cannot be prosecuted for vehicle defects.

In reality, drivers remain legally responsible for ensuring their vehicle remains roadworthy every time it is used on the road.

A vehicle can pass its MOT one day and still become illegal weeks later if tyres wear below the legal limit or a mechanical fault develops.

The Bigger Picture

The latest DVLA figures serve as another reminder that the MOT remains one of the UK’s most effective road safety measures.

While modern vehicles are becoming increasingly reliable, routine inspections, preventative maintenance and professional MOT testing continue to play a vital role in preventing unsafe vehicles from remaining on Britain’s roads.

For MOT testers, these statistics reinforce the importance of carrying out every inspection thoroughly, not only to ensure compliance with testing standards, but ultimately to help keep motorists and other road users safe.