UK gives 10,054 penalty points for unroadworthy cars 2025

More than 10,000 drivers across Britain were issued penalty points last year for operating vehicles with critical safety defects, according to new data. The figures, obtained from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, show 10,054 motorists were sanctioned in 2025 for driving vehicles with problems such as defective brakes, bald tyres, or compromised steering.

While this represents a decrease of 3,055 cases from the previous year, road safety experts warn the decline may not indicate improved vehicle maintenance. The RAC, which obtained the data, cautioned that the drop could instead be linked to a reduction in visible traffic policing, suggesting many more dangerous vehicles are evading detection.

The motoring organization described the official figures as likely just "the tip of the iceberg." Jack Halstead, named RAC Mechanic of the Year, stated that far too many vehicles are unfit for the roads, posing a danger to all users. He highlighted the specific risks of tyre degradation, noting that bald tyres drastically reduce grip, greatly increase stopping distances, and raise the risk of blowouts. Halstead emphasized that every mechanical component in a vehicle plays a critical...