NTDA Survey Finds Four in Ten UK Vehicles on Unsafe Tyres

Almost 40% of vehicles on UK roads are running on unsafe tyres, according to the National Tyre Distributors Association’s TyreCheck 2025 study. Inspecting more than 58,000 vehicles across 141 locations, the NTDA found 8% below the legal limit of 1.6mm and another 32% technically legal but offering reduced grip and longer stopping distances. The association warns that delayed replacement has pushed many tyres to “barely legal” status, raising a national tyre safety concern.

What the TyreCheck 2025 Study Found

• Sample and scope: 58,000+ vehicles checked at 141 sites nationwide.
• Illegal tyres: 8% below 1.6mm tread depth (cars must meet the legal minimum across the central three-quarters).
• Unsafe but legal: 32% measured just above the limit, with compromised braking and wet grip.
• Trend: NTDA says the share of vehicles on illegal tyres has fallen since 2000, but motorists are waiting longer to replace, leaving many tyres “barely legal”.
• Regional disparities: Halesowen recorded 71% illegal tyres; a focused Northern Ireland sample saw 57% below the limit. East England and Surrey & Hampshire reported under 2% illegal tyres.
• Urban hotspots: Sheffield at risk levels above 62%; Bradford 36%.

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“This report should serve as a wake-up call for motorists. The fact that nearly two in five vehicles are running on tyres that are either illegal or dangerously close to it is deeply concerning. Legal doesn’t always mean safe, and drivers are leaving tyre replacement too late. Tyre safety must become a national priority.” — Ian Andrew, CEO, NTDA

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Why ‘Barely Legal’ Isn’t Safe

Tyres at or near 1.6mm deliver markedly poorer wet-weather performance and longer braking distances. UK law requires at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the full circumference; drivers below this face fines and penalty points. Guidance from the Highway Code confirms these legal requirements.

Behavioural trends flagged by the NTDA mirror wider safety findings reported by Tyre News:

• Parents were urged to check tyres before the school run amid evidence of delayed replacement and rising tyre-related MOT failures.
• A nationwide HiQ study found nearly one in five newer cars fail the MOT at the first attempt, with tyres among recurring issues, underscoring the maintenance gap.

Regional Picture and Enforcement

• High-risk clusters: The NTDA cites extreme non-compliance in parts of the West Midlands and a Northern Ireland sample.
• Better-performing areas: Some South and East regions reported very low illegal-tyre incidence.
• Enforcement ask: The NTDA urges targeted checks where non-compliance is most acute, plus support for motorists who struggle with tyre replacement costs.

What the NTDA Wants to Change

• Review the legal minimum tread depth to better reflect modern braking and wet-grip performance.
• Increase roadside and retail enforcement in high-risk areas.
• Targeted financial support for vulnerable motorists to replace unsafe tyres sooner.
• Public information drive focusing on monthly checks and replacing tyres before they reach minimum depth.

Practical Tyre Safety Reminders

• Check tread depth monthly and before long journeys; consider replacement well before 1.6mm.
• Maintain pressures to the vehicle placard; under-inflation accelerates wear and lengthens stopping distances.
• Inspect for cuts, bulges and age-related cracking; seek professional advice if unsure.
• Understand the law: cars, light vans and trailers must have at least 1.6mm tread across the central three-quarters, around the entire circumference.

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NTDA’s new CEO, Ian Andrew, took office in July 2025, succeeding Stefan Hay, earlier this year - https://www.tyrenews.co.uk/news/ntda-names-ian-andrew-as-new-ceo

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Tagged with: tyre safety, illegal tyres, tread depth, MOT failures, NTDA, UK road safety, braking distances, tyre checks, worn tyres, Highway Code, enforcement, vehicle maintenance

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