An analysis of more than 200 million UK vehicle safety inspection records has revealed the faults most likely to catch motorists off guard, offering insights that apply far beyond the UK.
The study, compiled by car insurance platform MoneySuperMarket using the UK DVSA’s MOT database, covers over 3,200 models from major global brands and highlights persistent gaps in basic vehicle maintenance.
Tires, brakes, and simple service items remain the most common weak points across almost all makes and models. Three issues dominate MOT failures:
- Parking brake inefficiency
- Tires worn below the legal 1.6 mm tread depth
- Windshield washers are not supplying sufficient fluid
These are not complex mechanical failures but basic safety components that many drivers neglect until a vehicle inspection forces attention.
Parking brake performance is a frequent problem, in part because modern driving habits rely on flat parking areas or automatic transmissions, concealing handbrake deterioration. Wiper and washer defects also appear regularly, despite being simple and inexpensive to fix.
The findings carry particular relevance for South Africa, where no annual or routine safety inspection system exists for private vehicles. Once motorists obtain their licence papers, annual licence renewal does not require proof of roadworthiness.
This allows poorly maintained or unroadworthy cars to remain on the road, contributing to the country’s high crash and fatality rates. South Africa consistently ranks among the world’s most dangerous places to drive.
The Automobile Association (AA) has repeatedly called for regulatory reform. In a statement earlier this year, the AA noted that, unlike the UK’s mandatory annual MOT checks, South Africa’s system leaves many hazardous vehicles unchecked.
The AA supports the introduction of compulsory annual roadworthiness inspections and has expressed willingness to work with the government to create a reliable enforcement plan and prevent fraudulent approvals of unsafe vehicles.
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