Tyre pressure systems causing MoT failures

Millions of vehicles could be failing their MoT due to underinflated tyres and tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS).

Current legislation states that any car displaying a warning light on the dashboard, such as a tyre pressure warning, will automatically fail its MoT, unnecessarily costing the driver the price of a second test.

The majority of new cars from the last three years are fitted with a TPMS, with many drivers unsure of its workings. Motorists are therefore being urged to ensure that their tyres are fully inflated before they head to the garage for a MoT.

Stuart Jackson, Chairman of TyreSafe, said: “Although TPMS technology has been around for decades, its inclusion in new model vehicles has only been mandated in Europe since 2012 and on all new cars since 2014. This led to a gradual introduction into the market over a period of years and with little or no fanfare to help educate motorists.

“Garages have been telling us that they’re encountering a lot of customers who either aren’t aware of how these systems work and need to be maintained or just see them as an expensive luxury rather than the crucial safety feature they are.’

Like any piece of technology, TPMS systems need regular maintenance and battery checks. If the TPMS system fails the car will fail its MOT, whether the tyres are safe or not.

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