Cash-strapped drivers admit to skipping the MOT and not replacing worn out tyres

PR & Public Affairs Officer

4 minute read|1st Sep 2026

One-in-10 drivers (10%) have driven illegally by avoiding the MOT or by failing to replace worn out tyres, according to new data from the RAC.

Young drivers are most likely to delay necessary repairs or tyre replacements on financial grounds: 25% of those under 25 and 21% of drivers in the 25-44 age group say they have done so, compared to just 5% of drivers aged 65 and older.

Among drivers of all ages, 3% have deliberately avoided their MOT, a legal requirement which guarantees that the vehicle is fit to be on the road.

And 7% admit they’ve failed to replace worn out tyres, which is breaking the law if they fall below the 1.6mm minimum.

Last year around 10,000 drivers received penalty points on their licenses for driving unroadworthy vehicles with defective brakes, tyres, steering or other problems.**

More than half of drivers (60%) said the cost of maintaining and repairing their car had increased over the past 12 months.

Almost a third (32%) of drivers are worried about the cost of maintaining their vehicle, according to the RAC’s annual Report on Motoring, the bellwether of driver issues.*

This represents a sharp rise from 25% just a year ago, underlining how quickly the issue is escalating.

The situation is only likely to be exacerbated by the squeeze on household finances caused by soaring petrol and diesel costs; a tank of petrol now costs £89 compared to £74 a year ago, while a tank of diesel costs £100 compared to £79 a year ago.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “It’s concerning that so many drivers appear to be risking breaking the law by not having a valid MOT or driving on bald tyres. With the average repair bill climbing to almost £700, it’s little wonder that so many people are finding it difficult to make ends meet. But kicking the can down the road and delaying repairs to your vehicle or putting them off altogether is a false economy. Often, it makes the problem worse, which can lead to a more expensive bill down the line.

“More importantly, it may mean that your vehicle is unsafe and illegal to drive. Bald tyres drastically increase the risk of a collision as they increase stopping distances, and are at greater risk of unexpected blowouts.

“Fortunately, the days of time-consuming trips to and from the garage and being handed a huge bill are gone. By taking advantage of RAC Mobile Mechanics it’s now possible to have your routine servicing and repairs done conveniently at home or at your workplace. RAC Mobile Mechanics are capable of carrying out more than 4,000 different types of complex repairs that don’t require a workshop ramp so they can be done on your driveway, offering a highly convenient alternative to traditional garages.

“You’ll always be quoted for the work and parts in writing, and costs can also be spread using Klarna lessening the load on those tight household budgets.”

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^{*The RAC Report on Motoring 2026 was conducted by Online95 on behalf of the RAC. In total, Online95 interviewed 2,238 UK motorists (i.e. those who hold a full, current UK driving licence, drive at least once a month and have a motor vehicle in their household). The survey was conducted from 14 February to 28 February 2026.}

^**RAC:^{More than 10,000 drivers caught driving unroadworthy vehicles last year}