More than 10,000 motorists across Britain were handed penalty points last year for driving unroadworthy vehicles.

It has prompted the RAC to warn that the true scale of the problem is likely to be far greater.

Tired and unstoppable

Analysis of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data by the RAC found that 10,054 drivers received penalty points in 2025 after being caught using vehicles with dangerous defects.

Issues include dangerously worn tyres, faulty brakes or defective steering.

While this was 3,055 fewer than in 2024, the motoring organisation said it is impossible to know whether the fall reflects better vehicle maintenance or simply fewer traffic officers detecting offenders.

The figures reveal significant regional differences, with Scotland recording the highest number of motorists caught driving unroadworthy vehicles, at 1,244.

London followed with 1,182 offences, ahead of Yorkshire and the Humber (995) and the West Midlands (969).

Most motorists caught driving an unroadworthy vehicle receive three penalty points on their licence, with the endorsement remaining on their driving record for four years.

Depending on the severity of the defect, drivers may also face substantial fines and prosecution if their vehicle is considered dangerous.

The RAC believes the official figures represent only a fraction of the number of unsafe vehicles being driven on Britain’s roads every day.

Unkown levels of danger

Jack Halstead, the RAC’s Mechanic of the Year, said: “Far too many vehicles are unfit for the roads, posing a danger not only to the driver, but to other road users as well.

“Having bald tyres drastically reduces grip, greatly increases stopping distances, and raises the risk of blowouts.

“But whether it’s tyres, brakes, steering or something else, every mechanical component in a vehicle plays a critical role.

“And this is likely to be just the tip of the iceberg; with fewer police traffic units, it’s likely more offenders are evading officers and putting themselves and others at risk.”

The RAC is urging motorists not to rely solely on the annual MOT test and instead carry out regular maintenance checks throughout the year.

Simple inspections of tyre tread and pressure, brake performance, lights, windscreen wipers and fluid levels can help identify problems before they become serious safety hazards.

Round and round again

Tyres remain one of the most common reasons vehicles are deemed unroadworthy.

UK law requires tyres to have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, while cuts, bulges or exposed cords can also make a vehicle illegal to drive.

Faulty brakes and steering defects are also among the most serious mechanical faults detected during roadside inspections and MOT tests.

The RAC said the findings should serve as a reminder that keeping a vehicle in a safe condition is a legal responsibility as well as a vital road safety measure. Even relatively minor defects can increase the risk of collisions, particularly during emergency braking or poor weather conditions.

With more than 10,000 motorists penalised in a single year, the organisation is calling on drivers to carry out routine vehicle checks and address mechanical faults promptly to help reduce preventable accidents and make Britain’s roads safer for everyone.