Motorists have been warned that an issue with one crucial part could play a “significant factor” in vehicles failing their MOT test. Craig Sprigmore, Retail Director at Goodyear, warned that tyres were a cause of drivers failing the annual safety check if road users don’t regularly check their rubber. Tyres can pick up a range of issues, with low tread depth, cuts, or issues with the tyre pressure monitoring system all likely to be flagged in an MOT test.
In some cases, tyre concerns can be considered a “dangerous defect” by mechanics, which will instantly render a vehicle off the roads. Experts have stressed that monitoring tyres and checking for safety defects throughout the year is absolutely crucial.
Speaking exclusively to the Express, Craig said: “Tyres can be a significant factor in MOT failures if their condition is not monitored consistently. Common defects include excessive tread wear, damage such as cuts or bulges, exposed cords, and issues linked to incorrect tyre pressure. Often, these problems develop over time and can go unnoticed if vehicles are only checked visually.
“The best way for drivers and fleet operators to avoid tyre-related MOT failures is through regular maintenance and inspection. Daily walkaround checks should look for signs of damage, trapped objects and uneven wear, while routine pressure monitoring can help identify slow punctures or other developing issues before they become more serious. It’s also important to track tread wear throughout a tyre’s life, rather than waiting until replacement becomes urgent.”
Any lumps, bulges, or tears in the tyre are likely to be caused by internal structural separation or partial failure. Mechanics will mark this as a “dangerous defect”. Once a car has this label, motorists will be unable to drive it on public roads, even if their previous MOT certificate was still valid.
According to previous data from the RAC, tyres are the fourth most common reason why drivers fail their MOT test. According to the research, tyres account for 7.7% of failures, behind brakes (10%), suspension issues (13%) and lighting and signalling problems (18.9%)
Most importantly, regular maintenance can give road users time to fix any issues well ahead of their test, ensuring that tyres are not the reason why motorists are pulled off the road.
Craig told the Express: “Monitoring tread depth and wear patterns allows operators to plan maintenance in advance and investigate underlying issues such as incorrect inflation or alignment problems. Taking a proactive approach helps keep vehicles roadworthy, supports safer fleet operations and reduces the risk of unexpected failures at MOT.”
