What did DVSA test?
DVSA's Vehicle Market Surveillance Unit checks that parts sold in Great Britain do what their makers say. For the tyre programme it bought 20 tyres in two sizes: 10 in 225/40 R18, a common size for cars, and 10 in 235/65 R16, a common size for vans.
The tyres were not picked at random. DVSA chose brands based on non-compliance found in earlier testing, across budget, mid-range and premium price points, and on the wet grip and fuel efficiency ratings they declared.
What did the tests find?
Of the 20 tyres, 13 failed to meet the class on their label for at least one of the three ratings. Those 13 were sent for verification testing, and 11 failed again:
- 7 failed one rating
- 3 failed two ratings
- 1 failed all three
Wet grip was the biggest problem. Ten of the 13 tyres that failed at first did not meet the wet grip class their manufacturer had declared. DVSA has not named the brands. It says it is working with the manufacturers and will update its report when the programme is complete.
What does a tyre label tell you?
Every new car and van tyre sold in Great Britain must come with a label showing three ratings:
- Wet grip, from A (shortest braking distance on a wet road) to E
- Fuel efficiency, from A (lowest rolling resistance, so the least fuel or battery used) to E
- External noise, in decibels, with a class from A to C
Wet grip is the rating that matters most for safety. A tyre that is a class lower than its label says may take noticeably longer to stop on a wet road, which is exactly when you need it most.
How to buy tyres with more confidence this winter
- Treat the label as a guide, not a guarantee. Independent tyre tests from motoring magazines and consumer groups measure real braking distances.
- Fit tyres in matching pairs on the same axle, in the size shown in your handbook or on the sticker inside the driver's door.
- Check tread depth before the wet months. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread, but grip falls well before that. See our tyre tread depth guide.
- Keep pressures right: under-inflated tyres grip less and wear faster. Use our tyre pressure guide and psi to bar converter.
Tyres are one of the most common reasons cars fail the MOT. You can see every tyre advisory and fail on a car's record with our free MOT history check.
Other findings in the same report
DVSA also tested emergency braking systems on five cars. The Hyundai Tucson and Vauxhall Astra Hybrid passed every test. The MG HS PHEV failed three tests, and the Ford Kuga PHEV and Ford Ranger each failed two, covering how the system detects a fault and how it can be switched off. DVSA has told all five manufacturers. The same report found aftermarket catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters that failed emissions tests: read our report on those parts.
Questions drivers ask
How many tyres failed DVSA testing?
DVSA tested 20 tyres. 13 failed at least one label rating in the first round, and 11 of those failures were confirmed on re-testing. The results were published on 21 October 2026.
Which tyre brands failed?
DVSA has not named the brands. It chose tyres from brands with past non-compliance, so the sample was targeted rather than random.
What does the wet grip rating on a tyre label mean?
It rates braking on a wet road from A, the shortest stopping distance, to E. Ten of the 13 tyres that failed DVSA's first tests did not meet the wet grip class on their label.
What is the legal tyre tread depth in the UK?
For cars it is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread, around the whole tyre. Many experts recommend replacing tyres well before that, especially for winter.
Sources
- DVSA: Vehicle Market Surveillance Unit, results of the 2025 programme (21 October 2026)
- GOV.UK: Tyre labelling rules (The Motor Vehicle Tyres (Labelling) (Enforcement) Regulations 2020)
Facts checked against the sources above on 23 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
