A study by the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) has revealed almost 40% of vehicles on UK roads are running on unsafe tyres.
The TyreCheck 2025 study, examined more than 58,000 vehicles across 141 locations. It found 8% were fitted with tyres below the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, while a further 32% were on tyres technically legal but offered significantly reduced grip and braking performance.
The findings showed while the proportion of vehicles on completely illegal tyres has fallen from 10% in 2000, the number of motorists delaying replacement until tyres are “barely legal” has almost doubled over the past 25 years.
The report also highlighted major regional disparities. In Halesowen, West Midlands, 71% of vehicles checked were on illegal tyres, said to be the worst rate ever recorded in the UK. A focused study in Northern Ireland found 57% of vehicles below the legal limit. By contrast, East England and Surrey & Hampshire reported some of the best results, with illegal tyre rates of under 2%.
Urban centres showed higher rates of unsafe tyres compared to regional averages. In Sheffield, more than 62% of vehicles were deemed at risk, while in Bradford the figure was 36%.
Ian Andrew, CEO of the NTDA, said: “This report should serve as a wake-up call for motorists. The fact that nearly two in five vehicles are running on tyres that are either illegal or dangerously close to it is deeply concerning. Legal doesn’t always mean safe, and drivers are leaving tyre replacement too late. Tyre safety must become a national priority.”
The NTDA has called for a review of the legal minimum tread depth, increased enforcement in high-risk areas and targeted support for motorists struggling with tyre replacement costs.
