Tyre crisis in Belfast as two in five cars found unsafe
Drivers in Belfast are being warned about a serious tyre safety crisis after a study showed that more than two in five cars on the city’s roads are unsafe.
The TyreCheck 2025 study by the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) found that three in 10 (30%) of vehicles in Belfast had illegal tyres, below the 1.6mm legal tread depth and a further 11% were “barely legal” with dangerously reduced grip. This means a total of two in five (41%) cars checked in the city were unsafe.
Across Northern Ireland, the national survey showed 20% of cars with illegal tyres, already more than double the UK average. A separate focused study painted an even starker picture, with more than half (57%) of vehicles found to be illegal — suggesting that the problem may be far more widespread.
Ian Andrew, CEO of the NTDA, said: “These findings show that Belfast is one of the UK’s tyre danger hotspots. Too many drivers are putting themselves, their passengers and other road users at risk by running on tyres that are long past safe limits. We urge motorists to check their tyres now, because waiting could cost far more than money.”
Motorists caught with illegal tyres face fines of up to £2,500 and three penalty points per tyre, while stopping distances in wet weather can double once tread falls below 2mm.