Shocking rise in fines for unroadworthy vehicles

It found that a total of 13,109 penalty point endorsements were given to drivers in 2024, for driving vehicles with defective brakes, tyres, steering or other problems.

In 2023, there was 8,614 – a substantial year-on-year increase of 4,495 endorsements, according to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Driving a vehicle with defective tyres was the biggest reason drivers received points last year, with 8,945 people being stopped and having their licences endorsed – up 44% on the 6,196 drivers in 2023.

However, it was the number of people caught driving vehicles with defective brakes that saw the largest year-on-year increase. Some 1,190 drivers received penalty points for this in 2024, up from 181 a year earlier – a more than six-fold increase.

An additional 2,974 endorsements were handed to drivers for other problems related to the roadworthiness of their vehicles such as defective steering, increasing by a third (33%) from 2,237 in 2023.

Chief Superintendent at the National Roads Policing Operation for Intelligence and Investigations, Marc Clothier, said: “These figures are shocking and if you are driving an unroadworthy vehicle with defects such as tyres or brakes, you are not only putting yourself at risk, but you are putting the lives of other road users at risk too.

“Ensuring your vehicle is roadworthy and safe to drive is your responsibility and we would encourage everyone to routinely check their vehicle before getting behind the wheel.”

RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader, Nick Mullender, added: “The steep increase in drivers receiving points on their licences for unroadworthy vehicles is a cause for alarm as it could indicate more drivers are running the gauntlet and driving unsafe vehicles – although it’s also possible more drivers are being caught by the police.

“Whether it’s brakes, tyres, steering or something else, every mechanical component in a vehicle plays a critical role in ensuring it can be driven safely and confidently.

“By getting the behind the wheel of vehicles that are defective, a minority of drivers are needlessly putting the law-abiding majority at serious risk.”