Motorists hit with driving licence points as thousands travel in faulty cars on UK roads

Thousands of motorists across the UK received penalty points on their driving licences during 2025 for operating vehicles deemed unfit for the road.

Reports by the RAC detailed how 10,054 endorsements were issued to drivers last year for offences including faulty brakes, worn tyres, defective steering and various other mechanical failures.

While the total represents a notable reduction from 2024, when 13,109 endorsements were recorded, the RAC has warned that interpreting this decline remains difficult.

The drop of 3,055 endorsements could reflect improved vehicle maintenance habits among drivers, but might equally result from reduced numbers of traffic police patrolling Britain's roads.

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Faulty tyres were found to be the most common reason for drivers receiving points, accounting for 6,670 of the total endorsements handed out during the year.

Motorists caught with defective tyres face not only penalty points but also substantial fines reaching as high as £2,500 for each substandard tyre.

The remaining 3,384 endorsements were issued for other roadworthiness failures, including problems with steering systems, braking mechanisms and additional mechanical faults.

Under UK law, each offence carries a penalty of three points, which remain visible on a driver's licence for a period of four years.

The figures underscore the significant consequences awaiting those who neglect their vehicle's condition, with the combination of points accumulation and potential fines representing a serious deterrent for motorists tempted to delay essential repairs or maintenance work.

Scotland recorded the highest number of drivers penalised for operating unroadworthy vehicles anywhere in the UK, with 1,244 motorists receiving endorsements throughout 2025.

The capital came second in the regional rankings, with 1,182 London-based drivers having points added to their licences for similar offences.

Beyond the metropolitan area, Yorkshire and Humber saw 995 drivers caught, placing it third among English regions.

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The West Midlands followed closely behind with 969 endorsements, while the South East of England rounded out the top five with 950 motorists penalised.

The geographic spread of offences suggests that unroadworthy vehicles remain a nationwide concern rather than a problem concentrated in any single area.

Whether the higher figures in Scotland and London reflect greater enforcement activity, more vehicles on the road, or genuinely worse maintenance standards remains unclear from the data alone.

The RAC has warned that these official statistics almost certainly understate the true scale of the problem, given that the figures only capture those motorists who were actually stopped by police.

With approximately 10 million MOT tests failing each year, the organisation said the actual number of substandard vehicles being driven on UK roads is considerably greater.

Jack Halstead, the RAC's Servicing and Repair Mechanic of the Year, described the situation as deeply concerning. "Far too many vehicles are unfit for the roads, posing a danger not only to the driver, but to other road users as well," he said.

Mr Halstead added: "Having bald tyres drastically reduces grip, greatly increases stopping distances, and raises the risk of blowouts.

"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."

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