The MOT Files

Section 5 · Axles, wheels, tyres and suspension

5.2.3 Tyres

Manual indexed

Quick answer

Sub-section 5.2.3 of the MOT inspection manual covers tyres and lists 17 defects, 5 of them Dangerous. A reference like "(5.2.3 (a)(i))" on a certificate points to the matching row below. The most recorded is "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements", about 12.6 times per 100 failed tests.

Official wording

The defect clauses

  1. 5.2.3 (a)(i)Major

    A tyre load capacity or speed rating not in accordance with the minimum requirements

    Tyre load index or speed rating below requirement explained: what it means and what puts it right

  2. 5.2.3 (a)(ii)Dangerous

    A tyre load capacity insufficient for axle presented weight

    Tyre load index or speed rating below requirement explained: what it means and what puts it right

  3. 5.2.3 (b)Majorunder 0.1 per 100 fails

    Tyres on the same axle or on twin wheels are different sizes

    Tyres of different sizes or construction on the same axle explained: what it means and what puts it right

  4. 5.2.3 (c)Majorunder 0.1 per 100 fails

    Tyres on the same axle of different structure

    Tyres of different sizes or construction on the same axle explained: what it means and what puts it right

  5. 5.2.3 (d)(i)Major

    A tyre with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords

    Tyre damaged or deteriorated explained: what it means and what puts it right

  6. 5.2.3 (d)(ii)Dangerous

    A tyre with a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure, including any lifting of the tread rubber or with cords exposed or damaged

    Tyre ply or cord exposed, or the casing separating explained: what it means and what puts it right

  7. 5.2.3 (e)Dangerous12.6 per 100 fails

    Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit explained: what it means and what puts it right

  8. 5.2.3 (f)Majorunder 0.1 per 100 fails

    A tyre fouling a part of the vehicle

    Tyre fouling part of the vehicle explained: what it means and what puts it right

  9. 5.2.3 (g)Majorunder 0.1 per 100 fails

    A recut tyre fitted to a vehicle not permitted to be fitted with recut tyres

    Tyre damaged or deteriorated explained: what it means and what puts it right

  10. 5.2.3 (h)Major

    Tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously not working

    Tyre pressure monitoring system inoperative explained: what it means and what puts it right

  11. 5.2.3 (i)Major

    A tyre not fitted in compliance with the manufacturer’s sidewall instructions

  12. 5.2.3 (j)Dangerousunder 0.1 per 100 fails

    A tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned likely to cause sudden deflation of the tyre

    Tyre valve damaged or tyre not correctly seated explained: what it means and what puts it right

  13. 5.2.3 (k)Majorunder 0.1 per 100 fails

    A tyre incorrectly seated on the wheel rim

    Tyre valve damaged or tyre not correctly seated explained: what it means and what puts it right

  14. 5.2.3 (l)Minor

    Tyre obviously under-inflated

  15. 5.2.3 (m)Dangerous

    A tyre over ten years old is fitted to a front steered axle of a bus, coach, or any axle on a minibus with a single wheel fitment

  16. 5.2.3 (n)(i)Minor

    A date code illegible on a tyre fitted to a rear axle of a bus or coach

  17. 5.2.3 (n)(ii)Major

    A date code illegible or not visible on a tyre fitted to a front steered axle of a bus or coach or any axle on a minibus with a single wheel fitment

Wording and categories reproduced from the DVSA inspection manual under the Open Government Licence. Frequencies are items per 100 failed class 4 tests across the DVSA anonymised MOT dataset; a clause with no figure was not recorded often enough to appear in any model’s top forty failure items. 12 of 17 clauses link to our own explanation.

Grading

What the categories mean

Dangerous
a direct and immediate risk to road safety or the environment. The vehicle fails and must not be driven until repaired, even to a garage.
Major
a defect that affects safety, the environment or other road users. The vehicle fails.
Minor
a defect with no significant effect on safety or the environment. Recorded on the certificate; the vehicle passes.

The full guide to defect grading

Section 5

Other sub-sections of axles, wheels, tyres and suspension

All sections of the manual

Common questions

What does 5.2.3 mean on an MOT certificate?
It refers to sub-section 5.2.3 of the MOT inspection manual, "Tyres", within section 5, axles, wheels, tyres and suspension. The letter or letters after it — (a), (b)(i) and so on — identify the specific defect from the 17 listed here. 5 of them are graded Dangerous, 10 Major and 2 Minor.
Which tyres defect is recorded most often?
"Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements" (5.2.3 (e)), recorded about 12.6 times per 100 failed MOT tests nationally. We explain what it means and what puts it right.
Does a Minor defect fail the MOT?
No. a defect with no significant effect on safety or the environment. Recorded on the certificate; the vehicle passes. Major and Dangerous defects fail. A Dangerous defect also means the car must not be driven until it is repaired.