Tyre safety systems cause concern

More than 23,000 vehicles required an MOT retest following identification of tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) issues in 2016 – a rise of 212% on the previous year.

TyreSafe has aired its concern at the implications for road safety of skyrocketing MOT failure rates caused by defects with vehicles’ TPMS. In 2015, a little over 7,000 MOT retests were required for the issue.

Stuart Jackson, TyreSafe chairman, said, ‘TPMS adds significantly to general tyre safety making it easy for the driver to know if their pressures aren’t at the right level when out on the road. But, clearly, even though Britain’s motorists are being warned there’s a safety issue they’re choosing to ignore it. Regrettably, this leap in MOT failures due to TPMS defects underlines that a poor attitude to tyre safety is not an issue exclusively associated with older vehicles.

‘TyreSafe urges motorists to put tyre safety higher up their list of driving priorities and check their tyres and TPMS are in roadworthy condition.’

TPMS became mandatory on all new passenger vehicles sold after 1 November 2014 as a safety feature to help reduce the number of vehicles being driven with tyre pressures significantly below the recommended settings. As of 1 January 2015, all vehicles first used after 1 January 2012 and equipped with a TPMS by the manufacturer must have a functioning system to pass its MOT.