More than 10,000 drivers caught driving unroadworthy vehicles last year

More than 10,000 drivers received penalty points on their licences for driving unroadworthy vehicles last year, new data analysed by the RAC’s mobile servicing and repairs division has found.*

Following a Freedom of Information request to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), the RAC found that a total of 10,054 penalty point endorsements were given to motorists in Great Britain in 2025 for driving vehicles with defective brakes, tyres, steering or other problems.

Positively, this is a decrease of 3,055 endorsements compared to the 2024 number which was 13,109, but it’s hard to know if this is down to drivers better maintaining their vehicles or fewer traffic officers on the roads.

Driving a vehicle with defective tyres was the biggest reason drivers received points last year, with 6,670 people being stopped and having their licences endorsed. This can also attract a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre.

An additional 3,384 endorsements were handed to drivers for other problems relating to the roadworthiness of their vehicles such as defective steering or brakes.

More drivers of unroadworthy vehicles were caught in Scotland than anywhere else in Great Britain last year – 1,244 in total – followed by London with 1,182 drivers. Outside of the capital, the regions with the most drivers handed points for unroadworthy vehicles were Yorkshire and Humber (995), West Midlands (969) and the South East of England (950).

The offence attracts three penalty points which stay on drivers’ licences for four years.

But the RAC warns there are likely to be many more unroadworthy vehicles on the UK’s roads, as the figures only represent those who have been caught in the first place. With nearly 10m MOTs are failed each year, the number of vehicles being driven that don’t meet standards is likely to be far higher.***

RAC Servicing and Repair Mechanic of the Year Jack Halstead said: “Far too many vehicles are unfit for the roads, posing a danger not only to the driver, but to other road users as well. Having bald tyres drastically reduces grip, greatly increases stopping distances, and raises the risk of blowouts. But whether it’s tyres, brakes, steering or something else, every mechanical component in a vehicle plays a critical role.

“And this is likely to be just the tip of the iceberg; with fewer police traffic units, it’s likely more offenders are evading officers and putting themselves and others at risk. 

“No doubt there will be some who have accidentally let their car maintenance slip, but this can be easily avoided by using free apps like myRAC, which send you reminders to check key components like tyres, as well as flagging important dates like your MOT, service, tax and insurance renewal.

“We know life gets busy, so that’s why we’re helping drivers to keep on top of car admin with our team of nationwide mobile mechanics that come to you. They can carry out repairs and service your vehicle on your driveway or at work, saving you the slog of getting it to a garage. It’s the better way to look after your car!”

Further information on the RAC’s Mobile Mechanics service can be found online at www.rac.co.uk/car-care/mobile-mechanic.

* RAC Freedom of Information request to the DVLA, covering licence endorsement codes CU10, CU20, CU30 and CU40 given the drivers in both 2024 and 2025

**RAC: Number of roads policing officers falls by more than 1,000 in 10 years

***RAC Foundation: https://www.racfoundation.org/media-centre/mot-data-reveals-extent-of-unroadworthy-vehicles