Vans with a tyre advisory at their MOT were almost twice as likely to have a dangerous tyre defect at their next test, according to new TyreSafe analysis. The rates were 7.0% for vans with an advisory, compared with 3.6% without.
Published on 4 November, the research covered 136,862 vans, linking February 2024 MOTs with tests in February 2025. It included class 7 vehicles and class 4 vans identified by model. Retests and vehicles that failed on tyres at the first test were excluded.
For class 7 vans, covering the 3–3.5-tonne category, the comparison was 6.3% against 3.0%.
Stuart Lovatt, chair of TyreSafe, said: “An MOT tyre advisory is an early warning”.
The findings show an association between test outcomes. They do not establish that an advisory was ignored or that the same tyre remained fitted. Repairs between tests cannot be seen in the data. Around half of vans matched to a February 2025 test, with similar matching levels in both groups.
For operators, the practical question is how an advisory moves from the MOT certificate into the maintenance system.
A useful record should identify the vehicle, reproduce the advisory accurately and name the person responsible for arranging an assessment. It should also set a suitable deadline and record what happened at the inspection, including any further action required.
An advisory should not automatically trigger tyre replacement. A competent assessment should determine whether replacement, other work or a planned reinspection is appropriate. Where monitoring is recommended, the record should include the next inspection date rather than simply marking the matter complete.
DVSA’s fleet guidance recommends daily walkaround checks, recording defects and keeping repair records. Its operator checklist also recommends retaining defect, maintenance, repair and servicing records for at least 15 months as part of an effective maintenance system.
Checks between workshop visits remain essential. DVSA’s van walkaround guidance includes tyre inflation, legal tread depth, cuts, damage and exposed cords, alongside wheel condition and security. Drivers who become aware of a defect during a journey should stop somewhere safe to assess and report it. Dangerous defects must be fixed before continuing.
A practical advisory follow-up process is:
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Tags: TyreSafe, van tyres, MOT advisories, dangerous tyre defects, fleet maintenance, van MOT, tyre inspections, DVSA, commercial vehicle tyres, tyre safety
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