MOT failure rate for LCVs suggests fleet neglect
New data has revealed that the MOT failure rate for LCVs was twice that of cars last year, resulting in longer vehicle off-road times and business disruption.
According to Tyresafe, 25.9% of three-year-old LCVs failed their MOT in 2024 compared to 12.6% of non LCVs.
The data also found that many of these failures could have been avoided if previous advisories had not been ignored. Brakes and tyres were the primary causes of failure, but 25% of tyre failures had been previously noted as advisories.
This suggests a widespread trend of neglect, allowing advisories to escalate into potentially dangerous MOT failures, and with 5,102,180 vans now operating on UK roads, the volume of non-compliant LCVs could pose a serious threat to road safety.
Gamble
Stuart Lovatt, chair of TyreSafe, said: “Verifleet’s data is a flashing amber light for the entire van sector. Our primary concern is that a quarter of tyre failures were previously noted as advisories. This means fleet managers had a documented warning and chose to gamble.
“As the only contact point between the vehicle and the road, a tyre advisory ignored on a loaded van is a critical safety gamble. Simple, regular checks save lives and prevent breakdowns.”
Ian Andrew, CEO of the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA), added: “Our members are on the frontline and they see these neglected advisories every day. The 25% failure rate is a direct reflection of businesses choosing to defer necessary vehicle maintenance rather than investing in timely, professional attention.
“This decision inevitably leads to unnecessary call-outs, unplanned downtime, and missed deliveries, directly impacting the bottom line. We urge all LCV operators to ensure their drivers are conducting their daily walk around checks.”
