Defective tyres pose significant and multifaceted risks to drivers, the economy, and road safety in the UK. The following statistics highlight the urgent need for increased awareness and action regarding tyre maintenance
Road Safety & Fatalities
On average over the last five years, 152 people are killed or seriously injured in incidents related to ‘defective tyres’. Shockingly, this figure is on par with mobile phone-related incidents. The 2023 figures document a (29%) rise in KSI casualties compared to 2022 (from 147 to 190), the highest number of casualties due to tyre defects since 2018.
(Source: DFT – latest figures from the Reported Road Casualties GB Report September 2024)
At 70mph, worn tyres have 7x more effect on total stopping distance in wet weather than drinking alcohol.
(Source: Halfords plc and Professor Peter Wells of the Centre for Automotive Industry Research at Cardiff University, December 2022).
At 70mph, a worn tyre adds 27m or 28% to the Highway Code baseline stopping distance (123m stopping distance vs. Highway Code baseline of 96m).
(Source: Halfords plc and Professor Peter Wells of the Centre for Automotive Industry Research at Cardiff University, October 2023).
At 50mph, wet braking distances increased by 6.9m on tyres with 1.6mm compared to new tyres with 8mm tread. Tyres with 3mm took only 2.7m longer to come to a full stop.
(Source: Continental Tyres).
75% of tyre defects were due to lack of maintenance in FATAL incidents where car tyres were a causal factor and 61% in all other vehicles.
(Source: National Highways Fatals database (2014 to 2022), verified by Transport Research Laboratory (1,954 vehicles examined by forensic investigators)).
Financial & Economic Impact
£1 billion worth of fuel is wasted in the UK annually due to underinflated tyres. This accounts for more than 50% of the tyres on the road and doesn’t even consider excessive wear and the premature requirement to replace them.
(Source: The Motor Ombudsman).
Over 6 million tyres in the UK have illegal tread each year, which could lead to a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre and 3 penalty points.
(Source: TyreSafe Tread Depth Survey 2023).
Over 17% of tyres are already illegal when replaced and a further 40% borderline.
(Source: TyreSafe survey of tyres at the point of replacement in partnership with National Highways).
MOT Failures & Legal Compliance
Over 2 million MOT failures occur each year due to tyre defects, with one million classified as dangerous. Tyres are the primary cause of MOT failures in the first seven years of a vehicle’s life.
(Source: DVSA)
2.152 million vehicles failed an MOT due to tyre defects. 750,000 (36%) had previously been flagged with an advisory notice.
(Source: DVSA Data analysed by Verifleet May 2024)
Defective tyres are the FOURTH most common reason for an MOT advisory to be issued, but this is deemed ‘DANGEROUS’ in almost 60% of occasions.
(Source: Auto Express 2025).
5,594 convictions for ‘defective tyres’ in 2024. This is 873 fewer (13%) than 2019, with a five-year average of 6,375 per year.
(Source: Criminal Justice System Statistics publication: Prosecutions and Convictions 2017-2024).
Breakdowns & Roadside Incidents
1 in 5 vehicle breakdowns on motorways and A roads result from tyre defects. This equates to roughly 51,500 breakdowns in 2023 on the motorway network alone (up 14% compared to 2022).
(Source: National Highways TRIP campaign).
Tyre-related issues are the second most common callout request for breakdown/recovery services, with The AA attending 620,000 in 2023.
(Source: AA).
21% of drivers who have broken down on the motorway think it could have been avoided if they’d conducted proper tyre checks before starting their journey.
(Source: National Highways TRIP campaign).
Driver Knowledge & Behaviour Gaps
Over half the tyres on Britain’s roads are underinflated, with 35% of tyres being driven at least 8psi below the vehicle manufacturers’ recommendation.
(Source: Michelin ‘Fill Up With Air’ survey).
25% of cars checked at three airport car parks had one or more dangerous tyres – less than 2mm tread, damage (a defect, cracking, bulge), or over 10 years old.
(Source: Halfords / NCP Car Park Survey – 1,537 cars checked at Edinburgh, Gatwick & Manchester Long Stay Car Parking – June 2024).
One-in-four drivers (26.4%) have NEVER checked their tyre tread, rising to one-in-three (33.5%) among young drivers aged 18-25.
(Source: TyreSafe & Ingenie OnePoll Survey 2013).
One-in-five drivers (18%) have NEVER checked their tyre pressures, rising to one-in-four for young drivers aged 18-25.
(Source: TyreSafe & Ingenie OnePoll Survey 2013).
31% of drivers are not confident checking tyre pressure.
(Source: National Highways – Summer Checks Campaign 2021).
Over 50% continue to drive even though they are aware of faults with their tyres – 33% aware of incorrect pressure & 21% worn tyres.
(Source: Uswitch – 2,000 UK Drivers April 2025).
Only 36% of drivers know the correct penalty for insufficient tread. More than a third rely on visual inspection rather than using a proper gauge.
(Source: Anyline & TyreSafe – 2000 UK Drivers – Sep24).
Only 39% of drivers are aware of the minimum legal tread depth. 61% potentially driving on unsafe or illegal tyres. 66% of respondents claimed to know the legal limit – But 41% of that group provided an incorrect answer.
(Source: Research conducted on RAC’s behalf by Online95 in September 2024. Sample size: 1,775 drivers).