5.1 Million Van Fleet in Crisis – 25% MOT Failure Rate Double That of Cars, Driven by Neglected Advisories
TyreSafe today announced a critical finding from new 2024 MOT data analysis, utilising proprietary metrics from fleet risk specialist Verifleet: Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs), or vans, are failing their first mandatory MOT test at double the rate of cars. The study found that 2021-registered LCVs had a 25.9% failure rate, compared to 12.6% for non-LCVs in the same age group. This safety crisis affects the UK’s record-breaking van fleet of over 5.1 million units.
The data points to systemic neglect, with brakes and tyres identified as the primary failure points. Critically, the analysis underscores that this high failure rate is not random: it is driven by a widespread trend of neglected advisories that escalate into dangerous, MOT-failing faults. Verifleet’s analysis indicates that a significant percentage of tyre failures on vehicles presented for subsequent MOTs—circa 25%—were previously noted as advisories in earlier MOT checks, confirming that ignored warnings are directly leading to the 25% overall failure rate.
The tyre industry and road safety community have united in agreement that the 25% failure rate is a fundamental lack of preventative maintenance among van operators, not an issue with vehicle components.
Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, highlighted the direct link between advisories and failure: “Verifleet’s data is 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. As the only contact point between the vehicle and the road, a tyre advisory ignored on a loaded van is a critical safety gamble. Simple, regular checks save lives and prevent breakdowns.”
This perspective is fully supported across the tyre industry.
Darren Lindsey, CEO of the British Tyre Manufacturers Association (BTMA), emphasised that “while modern commercial tyres are built to high standards, their performance depends entirely on proper maintenance”.
He noted a 25% failure rate, with brakes and tyres as frequent issues, highlighting insufficient care by fleet operators rather than manufacturing faults. Lindsey called for better education about tyre maintenance and its crucial role in road safety to ensure tyres deliver their intended levels of safety and reliability.
Ian Andrew, CEO of the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA), spoke for the frontline service providers: “Our members—the tyre distributors and fitters—are on the frontline, and they see these neglected advisories every day. The 25% failure rate is a direct reflection of businesses choosing to defer necessary vehicle maintenance rather than investing in timely, professional attention. This decision inevitably leads to unnecessary call-outs, unplanned downtime, and missed deliveries, directly impacting the bottom line. We urge all LCV operators to ensure their drivers are conducting their daily walk around checks.”
Alfred Graham, from the Imported Tyre Manufacturers Association (ITMA), stressed the universal nature of the concern: “From the imported tyre sector’s perspective, this high failure rate is unacceptable. We fully align with our colleagues that the 25% MOT failure figure points directly to a crucial lack of preventative maintenance across the UK’s van fleet, compounded by the proven failure to action advisories.”
With 5,102,180 vans now operating on UK roads—an increase of 1.8% year-on-year—the sheer volume of non-compliant LCVs poses a significant threat to national infrastructure and traffic flow.
Mark Cartwright, from National Highways, warned of the wider operational consequences: “A vehicle breakdown on the Strategic Road Network is not just a commercial inconvenience; it’s a major cause of congestion and poses a significant risk to road users. When one in four vans is found to be non-compliant, it translates directly into avoidable safety incidents and hours of disruption for the 5 million-plus vehicles that are essential to the UK economy. Our ‘Driving for Better Business’ programme urges operators to heed this data and prioritise vehicle roadworthiness.”
The issue of LCV safety is compounded by the sheer size and growth of the fleet;
Total LCV Fleet – The number of vans on UK roads reached a record 5,102,180 units in 2024, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Fleet Growth – Over one million new vans have been added to UK roads since 2015.
Road Usage – Van traffic has seen the fastest growth in miles travelled (in percentage terms) of any motor vehicle over the last 25 years, increasing 82% to 58.5 billion vehicle miles 2024.
The data demands an immediate shift from reactive to proactive maintenance. TyreSafe, in partnership with the BTMA, ITMA, National Highways, and Verifleet, issues a clear, three-part call to action for all UK fleet managers and business owners operating LCVs:
- Adopt a Six-Monthly Safety Check Standard – Implement a policy of scheduled, thorough safety inspections (beyond basic driver walk-around checks) that focus on high-risk components like tyres and brakes every six months, effectively splitting the annual MOT cycle.
- Zero-Tolerance for Neglected Advisories – Establish a non-negotiable, documented policy to address and rectify all MOT and service advisories immediately. Verifleet’s analysis confirms that around 25% of all tyre failures were previously identified as an advisory, underscoring that fixing the advisory is the single best preventative safety measure.
- Go Data-Led: Utilise data and risk management tools, such as Verifleet’s analysis, to identify and flag vehicles that show patterns of neglect or high-risk usage, ensuring maintenance is targeted precisely where it is most needed to achieve the highest safety returns.
Richard Stowe, Director at Verifleet, concludes: “The 25% MOT failure rate is a direct consequence of ignoring minor advisories until they become dangerous, costly failures. We have the data to pinpoint these risks, and now the industry must commit to a data-led, proactive maintenance culture to protect their drivers and the public by implementing these three pillars.”
