UK garages recorded over 3 million tyre-related MOT failures in the year from July 2023, with 2.3 million classified as dangerous, according to the latest DVSA data.
Among the failures, more than 600,000 vehicles had tyres with exposed plies or cords, while a further 1.16 million failed due to tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm.
These figures underline the scale of the tyre safety problem faced daily in workshops across the country.
Point S Tyre & Autocare, which commissioned the investigation, warns that the data reveals a systemic road safety issue that requires urgent attention.
The network is calling for stricter MOT standards, arguing that even minor tyre defects should result in a fail.
Ali Yilmaz, Point S managing director, said: “Tyres are the only part of a vehicle in contact with the road, any compromise here affects everyone’s safety.”
As part of its safety-first approach, Point S has banned the sale of part-worn tyres across all member locations, citing the inherent risks involved.
The network also highlights the challenges posed by electric vehicles, which typically wear tyres faster and demand more frequent inspections and replacements.
With October marking the 20th annual Tyre Safety Month, led by TyreSafe, this data is a timely reminder for garages to highlight the importance of tyre checks, particularly during the UK’s wettest month when stopping distances are longest and risks are highest
