News & Features

Number of Drivers Using Unroadworthy Vehicles Rises Substantially

Posted in General News on Wednesday, August 27th, 2025

New figures obtained by the RAC through a Freedom of Information request to the DVLA reveal a worrying rise in drivers being caught with unroadworthy vehicles. In 2024, a total of 13,109 penalty point endorsements were issued to motorists driving cars with defective brakes, tyres, steering, or other mechanical issues. That’s up by 4,495 cases compared to 2023’s total of 8,614.

Each offence carries three penalty points, which stay on a licence for four years. Yet, the RAC warns these numbers likely represent just a fraction of the true scale, given that almost 10 million vehicles fail their MOT each year. Many cars that aren’t roadworthy may still be on the roads undetected.

Tyres remain the biggest issue. Last year, 8,945 drivers were penalised for defective tyres, a sharp 44% rise on the year before. More alarming still, endorsements for faulty brakes soared by more than six times from 181 in 2023 to 1,190 in 2024. A further 2,974 endorsements were handed out for other faults, including steering problems, up 33% year-on-year.

Regional breakdowns show that almost everywhere saw increases. The East Midlands saw the steepest rise, with cases nearly doubling from 374 to 700. Central Scotland was next, up 50%. The only exceptions were mid and south-west Wales, where numbers dipped slightly.

London topped the national league table with 1,765 drivers penalised in 2024 (up 21%), followed by Yorkshire and the Humber with 1,373 (up 32%).

RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader Nick Mullender said the figures were deeply concerning “Every mechanical component in a vehicle plays a critical role in ensuring it can be driven safely. By driving defective cars, a minority are needlessly putting others at serious risk. While it’s positive that the police are detecting offenders, many more unsafe vehicles are likely going unnoticed.”

He urged drivers to take responsibility between MOTs and services, stressing that routine maintenance and prompt repairs are essential. RAC Mobile Mechanics, for instance, can carry out diagnostic checks, services, and repairs such as brake replacements all from a customer’s home or workplace.

Chief Superintendent Marc Clothier from the National Roads Policing Operation said: “If you’re driving with defective tyres or brakes, you’re not just endangering yourself you’re putting the lives of others at risk. Ensuring your vehicle is roadworthy is your responsibility.”

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