Written question asked by Lord Bradshaw (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 14 May 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Friday, 29 May 2026. It was answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Labour) on Wednesday, 27 May 2026 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Motor Vehicles: Tyres

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the importance for road safety of encouraging road users to select tyres carefully and fit them correctly, and to pay special attention to maintaining the rear axle of vehicles.

Answer: Maintaining tyres in good condition and ensuring they are appropriate for the vehicle, including across the same axle, is important for road safety. The MOT test includes checks to ensure that tyres are in a safe condition, are suitable for the vehicle, and are compatible across an axle. This includes consideration of tyre size and fitment to ensure they are not obviously unsuitable for use. However, it is not a substitute for proper maintenance and correct tyre selection by the user.

Secondary information