New data suggests that up to 20% of UK drivers may be operating vehicles with tyres below the legal tread depth limit, raising serious safety and enforcement concerns. Tyre industry bodies and road safety campaigns report a rising trend of non-compliance, with many motorists failing to check tread wear between MOTs.
In recent roadside inspections conducted by safety groups and local enforcement campaigns, as many as one in five tyres were found to be either illegal or dangerously close to the 1.6mm legal minimum.
While tyre condition is a routine part of MOT testing, many vehicles spend a full year on the road without any interim tyre check. According to figures from TyreSafe and regional police initiatives, tyres with worn or uneven tread are commonly identified during random checks — particularly in winter and wet seasons when braking distances increase.
Key contributing factors include:
Driving on tyres below the legal tread depth can significantly increase stopping distances and aquaplaning risk. More importantly for fleets and commercial operators, it also poses liability risks. Police can issue three penalty points and a £2,500 fine per illegal tyre — a cost that could multiply across a fleet vehicle.
Fleet managers and tyre service providers are being urged to adopt proactive inspection regimes, particularly for high-mileage vehicles and LCVs.
For tyre retailers, mobile fitters, and fleet service providers, the tread depth compliance gap presents a growing business opportunity. By offering quick tread checks, digital tread scanning, or reminder services, workshops can engage customers before tyres become unsafe — and boost replacement rates.
Retailers are also being encouraged to educate consumers on the 20p test and promote all-weather tyre options for year-round grip.
The growing issue of tread depth non-compliance reflects a broader challenge facing the tyre sector: bridging the gap between testing and real-world safety. As road conditions become more demanding and vehicles stay on the road longer between checks, real-time tyre monitoring technologies, such as embedded sensors and connected fleet platforms, are set to play a larger role. The adoption of smart tyre systems could significantly reduce the number of vehicles operating with dangerous tread levels, but until then, tyre professionals remain on the front line of prevention.
Tagged with: tyre tread depth, UK tyre safety, illegal tyres, tyre compliance, fleet safety, roadside checks, smart tyres, tyre monitoring, road safety enforcement
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