Failure category
Tyres & wheels
Tread depth, sidewall damage, tyres with cords showing, mismatched ratings. Tyres are the second-largest UK MOT failure block after lights.
Defect codes
65
Total fails
1,798,128
Defect codes in this category, ranked.
Sorted by total cars affected last year. Click any row for the full defect description plus the models most at risk.
- 01 1,039,051
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
1276 models affected
- 02 374,115
A tyre cords visible or damaged
963 models affected
- 03 280,431
A tyre seriously damaged
1002 models affected
- 04 38,291
A tyre seriously damaged
445 models affected
- 05 19,850
A tyre seriously damaged
266 models affected
- 06 7,607
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
323 models affected
- 07 6,848
A wheel bearing excessively rough
14 models affected
- 08 5,946
Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.
93 models affected
- 09 5,558
A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud
102 models affected
- 10 4,955
A tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative
188 models affected
- 11 3,073
A wheel bearing with excessive play
20 models affected
- 12 2,971
Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution.
203 models affected
- 13 2,048
Any fracture or welding defect on a wheel
32 models affected
- 14 1,983
A tyre has a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. This includes any lifting of the tread rubber
132 models affected
- 15 1,717
Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
165 models affected
- 16 794
A tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned likely which could cause sudden deflation of the tyre
89 models affected
- 17 633
A wheel bearing with excessive play
74 models affected
- 18 294
A wheel bearing excessively rough
43 models affected
- 19 292
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
49 models affected
- 20 198
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
15 models affected
- 21 187
A tyre cords visible or damaged
56 models affected
- 22 165
Tyre obviously under inflated
27 models affected
- 23 127
A tyre not fitted in accordance with the direction of rotation marked on the side wall
13 models affected
- 24 119
A tyre with a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure, including any lifting of the tread rubber
21 models affected
- 25 70
Braking effort not recording at a wheel
5 models affected
- 26 65
Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.
17 models affected
- 27 60
On a motorcycle with two front or rear wheels, there is no recorded brake effort at a wheel
16 models affected
- 28 53
A tyre load capacity or speed rating not in accordance with the minimum requirements
3 models affected
- 29 49
Braking effort inadequate at a wheel
4 models affected
- 30 46
A tyre not fitted in compliance with the manufacturers sidewall instruction
13 models affected
- 31 46
On a motorcycle with two front or rear wheels, there is inadequate braking effort at a wheel
10 models affected
- 32 45
A wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and hub at spigot mounting
13 models affected
- 33 43
Wheels of a solo motorcycle sufficiently misaligned to adversely affect the handling or steering
7 models affected
- 34 42
Tyres on the same axle or on twin wheels are different sizes
18 models affected
- 35 42
Wheels of a solo motorcycle sufficiently misaligned to adversely affect the handling or steering
11 models affected
- 36 37
Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.
3 models affected
- 37 36
A wheel bearing play so excessive it is likely to break up or directional control impaired
10 models affected
- 38 32
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
2 models affected
- 39 29
A tyre load capacity load capacity insufficient for the presented axle weight
2 models affected
- 40 28
An unsuitable tyre fitted
5 models affected
- 41 24
A wheel spindle locking device missing or ineffective
3 models affected
- 42 23
A tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned likely to cause sudden deflation of the tyre
5 models affected
- 43 17
A tyre fouling a part of the vehicle
2 models affected
- 44 16
A tyre cords exposed or damaged
7 models affected
- 45 11
A tyre with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
5 models affected
- 46 9
A brake on any wheel grabbing severely
6 models affected
- 47 7
Abnormal lag in brake operation on a wheel
5 models affected
- 48 6
Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
2 models affected
- 49 6
Any fracture or welding defect on a wheel
1 models affected
- 50 4
A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud
1 models affected
- 51 4
A tyre load capacity or speed rating not in accordance with the minimum requirements
1 models affected
- 52 4
A wheel with more than one loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud
2 models affected
- 53 3
Excessive movement of centre of steering wheel up or down
1 models affected
- 54 2
A wheel bearing so rough it is likely to overheat or break up
1 models affected
- 55 2
A wheel spindle or securing nut(s) so insecure that wheel security or steering control is adversely affected
1 models affected
- 56 2
An unsuitable tyre fitted
1 models affected
- 57 2
A spigot mounted wheel hub worn or damaged to the extent that wheel security is adversely affected
1 models affected
- 58 2
A brake on any wheel grabbing severely
1 models affected
- 59 2
Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.
2 models affected
- 60 1
Tyres on the same axle or on twin wheels are different sizes
1 models affected
- 61 1
Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is excessive
1 models affected
- 62 1
A wheel excessively corroded, damaged or distorted
1 models affected
- 63 1
Abnormal lag in brake operation on a wheel
1 models affected
- 64 1
A tyre with a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure, including any lifting of the tread rubber
1 models affected
- 65 1
a tyre retaining ring not correctly fitted
1 models affected
Brands most affected.
Total category-fails across each manufacturer's tested fleet. High-volume brands naturally lead — read alongside their model pass-rates.