Dangerous defect: the vehicle failsTyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
DVSA wording, MOT inspection manual item 5.2.3 (e)
The legal minimum tread depth for a car tyre is 1.6mm, across the central three quarters of the tread and all the way round. The tester measured less than that somewhere on a tyre.
Can it be driven away? No. GOV.UK says a vehicle with a dangerous problem listed must be repaired before it is driven, with a fine of up to £2,500, a ban and 3 points for driving it. GOV.UK rule
1 in 40of all MOTs fail on it
6%repaired during the test
1 in 15failed on it again at the next MOT
What happened after the fail
Repaired during the test6%
Passed a retest within 35 days90%
Not passed within 35 days4%
By age
0102030+ yrs
Highest at 14 years old: 3% of MOTs.
By mileage
0100k200k+ mi
Highest at 150k to 160k miles: 4% of MOTs.
Models that fail on this more than other cars their age
Suzuki CarryOther cars its age: 3 in 1006 in 100
Citroen DS4Other cars its age: 3 in 1006 in 100
Citroen Grand C4Other cars its age: 3 in 1005 in 100
Vauxhall CorsavanOther cars its age: 3 in 1005 in 100
Chevrolet MatizOther cars its age: 3 in 1005 in 100
Tesla Model 3Other cars its age: 2 in 1005 in 100
Citroen DS5Other cars its age: 3 in 1005 in 100
Citroen NemoOther cars its age: 3 in 1005 in 100
22 more models
Fiat PandaOther cars its age: 3 in 1005 in 100
Peugeot BipperOther cars its age: 3 in 1004 in 100
Mercedes-Benz CitanOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Renault KangooOther cars its age: 3 in 1004 in 100
Fiat FiorinoOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Maserati GhibliOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Vauxhall ComboOther cars its age: 3 in 1004 in 100
Vauxhall InsigniaOther cars its age: 3 in 1004 in 100
BMW 114Other cars its age: 3 in 1004 in 100
DS DS4Other cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Nissan Nv200Other cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Peugeot 5008Other cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Peugeot 3008Other cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Mazda 323Other cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
Toyota StarletOther cars its age: 2 in 1003 in 100
Vauxhall GrandlandOther cars its age: 2 in 1003 in 100
Tesla Model YOther cars its age: 1 in 1002 in 100
CUPRA FormentorOther cars its age: 1 in 1002 in 100
MG 5 ExclusiveOther cars its age: 1 in 1002 in 100
Mercedes-Benz 190Other cars its age: 0.6 in 1001 in 100
Peugeot 205Other cars its age: 0.6 in 1001 in 100
Citroen 2CVOther cars its age: 0.4 in 1001 in 100
Out of every 100 MOTs on each model. Models with 20,000 or more MOTs, well above other cars their age, highest first.
Counted from DVSA records of 286,058,652 MOTs,
20 May 2018 to 18 October 2026. A test and its
retests count as one MOT.
About other vehicles, not a prediction for yours: for what to do,
ask a garage. Spotted a mistake? Email
fuzzyreguk@gmail.com.