More than 10,000 unroadworthy vehicles detected in 2025
New data from the RAC has revealed that more than 10,000 drivers were penalised for driving unroadworthy vehicles last year.
Its Freedom of Information request to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency found that a total of 10,054 penalty point endorsements were given to motorists in Great Britain in 2025 for driving vehicles that were deemed unsafe.
This is a decrease of 3,055 endorsements compared to the 2024 number of 13,109.
The data revealed that 6,670 people received points on their licence for driving a vehicle with defective tyres, while 3,384 endorsements were handed to drivers for problems such as defective steering or brakes.
More drivers of unroadworthy vehicles were caught in Scotland (1,244), followed by London (1,182), Yorkshire and Humber (995), West Midlands (969) and the South East (950).
RAC servicing and repair mechanic 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.”
