Light commercial vehicles (LCVs) are failing their first MOT at twice the rate of cars, according to new research that raises serious concerns about safety standards across the UK van sector.

Analysis by TyreSafe, using data from fleet risk specialist Verifleet, shows that 25.9% of 2021-registered vans failed their first mandatory MOT, compared with 12.6% of non-LCVs of the same age.

The findings point to widespread neglect of basic but crucial safety maintenance, with tyres and brakes consistently emerging as the most common failure points.

Ignoring danger

TyreSafe says the figures reveal a sector-wide problem that is not random.

Instead, the high failure rate is directly linked to ignored advisories—early warnings raised during previous MOTs that fleet operators routinely fail to address.

Verifleet’s dataset shows that around one in four tyre failures recorded at the MOT stage had previously been flagged as an advisory issue. In other words, the fault was already known but left unresolved long enough to turn into a dangerous defect.

Stuart Lovatt, chair of TyreSafe, described the findings as “a flashing amber light for the entire van sector”.

“Our primary concern is that a quarter of tyre failures were previously noted as advisories. This means fleet managers had a documented warning and chose to gamble,” he said. “A tyre advisory ignored on a loaded van is a critical safety risk. Simple, regular checks save lives and prevent breakdowns.”

Black marks

The tyre industry has echoed these concerns. Darren Lindsey, CEO of the British Tyre Manufacturers Association (BTMA), said the issues do not stem from manufacturing problems, but from “insufficient care by fleet operators”.

“Modern commercial tyres are incredibly robust,” he said. “But their performance depends entirely on proper maintenance. A 25% failure rate demands better education and more proactive attention to tyre safety.”

The National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) warned that failing to heed advisories has financial consequences as well as safety implications.

“Our members see these ignored warnings every day,” said NTDA CEO Ian Andrew. “Deferred maintenance leads directly to breakdowns, missed deliveries, unnecessary callouts and unplanned downtime. It impacts the bottom line just as much as it jeopardises safety.”

The growing number of vans on UK roads magnifies the issue. With 5.1 million LCVs now in operation, up 1.8% in the past year, the volume of non-compliant vehicles represents a growing risk to traffic flow and national infrastructure.

Mark Cartwright of National Highways warned that van breakdowns are a significant cause of congestion on the strategic road network.
“When one in four vans is non-compliant, that translates directly into avoidable safety incidents and hours of disruption,” he said. “Our Driving for Better Business programme urges operators to prioritise roadworthiness before these problems escalate.”

Regular safety

To address the crisis, TyreSafe—working with BTMA, ITMA, National Highways and Verifleet—is urging operators to introduce twice-yearly comprehensive safety inspections, focusing particularly on tyres and brakes, rather than relying solely on daily walk-around checks and the annual MOT.

The group is also calling for a zero-tolerance policy on neglected advisories and greater use of fleet data and risk-monitoring tools to identify vehicles with repeated or high-risk usage patterns.

Richard Stowe, director at Verifleet, said the message is clear:
“The 25% MOT failure rate is a direct consequence of ignoring minor advisories until they become dangerous. The industry must commit to a proactive, data-led maintenance culture to protect both drivers and the public.”

With van usage continuing to rise across the courier, trade, and utility sectors, experts warn that unless operators change their maintenance approach, safety risks—and failure rates—will only grow.