6.1m illegal tyres on UK roads, tyre specialist warns

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 15:34 · Archive

An estimated 6.1 million tyres on UK roads are illegal or dangerously worn, according to TyreSafe.

TyreSafe estimates that 6.1 million tyres on UK roads are illegal or dangerously worn at any given time. Most commonly, these tyres have tread depth below the UK legal limit of 1.6mm. Worn, damaged or incorrectly inflated tyres can affect a vehicle's grip, braking and handling.

Merityre Abingdon, a tyre specialist in Oxfordshire, is urging motorists to check their tyres regularly rather than waiting for an MOT or until a problem becomes apparent. The call comes as autumn approaches, with darker nights and more challenging driving conditions ahead.

According to the Department for Transport's Reported Road Casualties Great Britain: Final Results 2025 report, the number of people killed or seriously injured in collisions involving illegal, defective or underinflated tyres increased from 169 in 2024 to 201 in 2025. Darren Smeeth, general manager at Merityre, said that looking after tyres should be part of every motorist's routine.

How it is being reported

• Specialist company warns 6.1m tyres on UK roads are illegalA tyre specialist is urging drivers to put safety first during Tyre Safety MonthOxford Mail · 15 Oct, 15:05
• Specialist company warns 6.1m tyres on UK roads are illegalA tyre specialist is urging drivers to put safety first during Tyre Safety MonthOxfordshire Guardian · 15 Oct, 15:05

In this story: TyreSafe · Merityre Abingdon · Department for Transport · Abingdon · Darren Smeeth

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