Overview
- DVLA figures obtained by the RAC and published in late June show 10,054 motorists received penalty points in 2025 for driving vehicles with critical faults such as defective brakes, steering or tyres.
- Tyre problems were the single biggest cause with 6,670 endorsements recorded for worn or damaged tyres that can reduce grip, increase stopping distances and risk blowouts.
- Scotland had the highest number of endorsements at 1,244 followed by London with 1,182, Yorkshire and the Humber with 995 and the West Midlands with 969, indicating regional concentrations of detected offences.
- The 2025 total is 3,055 fewer than 2024 but the RAC warns that fewer police traffic units and reduced roadside enforcement likely mean many unsafe vehicles go undetected.
- Most unroadworthy offences carry three penalty points that remain on licences for four years and drivers can face fines up to £2,500 per defective tyre while separate DVLA data show 4,154 people remain able to drive despite exceeding the 12-point totting-up threshold.