Point S calls for an immediate reform to MOT tyre defect assessment.
Urgent Reform to MOT Tyre Defect Rules
Point S Tyre & Autocare, the UK’s leading independent network of tyre retailers and automotive repair centres, has called for an immediate reform to the way MOT testers assess tyre defects. The network insists that tyre-related issues in MOTs should result in an immediate failure, rather than an advisory or minor classification.
Figures from the DVSA show that the number of MOT failures has risen substantially, from 2 million in 2024 to 2.15 million. The government agency also confirmed that MOT testers had previously logged 36% of all tyre-related failures – affecting over 750,000 vehicles – as advisories during earlier tests. This finding raises concerns about the effectiveness of current testing standards.
MOT Tyre Assessments Under Scrutiny: Safety Risks and Industry Calls for Change
MOT testers can still record some tyre issues as minor defects, and Point S argues that this practice underestimates the serious safety risks posed by tyres.
Ali Yilmaz, Managing Director of Point S UK, said, “As professionals on the front line of vehicle safety, we see first-hand how even marginal tyre issues can become catastrophic. Tyres are the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road – if they are compromised, so is everyone’s safety. The MOT should reflect that with zero tolerance for tyre defects.”
Yilmaz also highlighted that the Point S network refuses to sell part-worn tyres, due to the inherent risks of using substandard materials, “Selling and fitting part-worn parts makes little logical sense – you wouldn’t fit part-worn brake pads, so why is it okay to do so for tyres?”
The network is urging the DVSA and policymakers to prioritise tyre safety in upcoming MOT reform discussions. Point S supports clearer and stricter standards that would make any tyre defect an automatic MOT fail, a move it believes would save lives and reduce avoidable accidents on UK roads.
Industry Support for Stronger Tyre Standards
Mark Darvill, Owner of Hillclimb Garage and a member of the Point S network, added,
“Vehicles have become ever more reliant on the high performance and quality of tyres to ensure safe driving. The tyre is one of the single most important and safety-critical components on the vehicle, and as such, drivers should never compromise on quality.”
Industry experts expect the focus on tyre quality to grow as electric vehicles (EVs) become more common. UK motorists bought £2.3 billion worth of replacement tyres last year, and analysts predict sales will reach £3.9 billion by 2030 as more EVs hit the road and tyre wear increases.
Point S Highlights the Importance of Tyre Safety Education
In line with its commitment to improving tyre safety, Point S is also calling for better public education around tyre maintenance. This includes understanding proper tread depth, inflation levels, and recognising early signs of wear – empowering motorists to act before reaching the MOT stage.
Ian Hissey, General Manager/Director at Hissey’s Garage in Stoke-on-Trent, said, “We find that many customers, when making poor tyre decisions, do so out of financial necessity. Stricter regulations will undoubtedly increase financial challenges, but these same regulations will also protect the people who need it most.”
Yilmaz concluded, “Safety shouldn’t be a grey area. We welcome dialogue with regulators, but we’re clear on one thing – when it comes to tyres, there’s no such thing as ‘minor’.”
