Drivers in the North hit hardest by cost of living crisis: study

New research¹ conducted by HiQ Tyres & Autocare has found that drivers in Northern England are more likely to keep their tyres beyond the legal wear limit. A possible explanation is the cost of living crisis continuing to have an effect on families, resulting in an increased risk of fines, penalty points and MOT failures.

As the cost of living continues to put pressure on many families, new data has raised concerns that vital vehicle maintenance is being skipped by motorists more frequently, particularly in Northern England.

The aforementioned study analysed data from a sample of more than 13,800 tyre changes and measured the proportion of tyres being changed due to tread depth being beyond the 1.6mm legal threshold. It asked managers from HiQ Tyres & Autocare stores to record the proportion of tyres replaced due to excessive wear.

The study found that 36%¹ of tyre changes happen because of excessive wear, defined as tyres being beyond the 1.6mm legal limit. Data shows that there’s a clear divide between the north and south of the UK.

In the North (including North East, North West, Scotland, and Yorkshire), the proportion of wear-related tyre changes was 40%, almost 74% higher than the south.

In southern regions (London, East Anglia, South East and South West), 23% of tyre changes were prompted by excessive wear. The Midlands fell in between with 33%.

Ensure safety out on the road

HiQ is one of the leading tyre, car-servicing and MOT test franchises in the country. It operates more than 160 stores nationwide, and is backed by global tyre brand Goodyear, acting as its retail arm in the UK. Each store offers a full range of tyres and servicing for a wide variety of vehicles.

HiQ reminds drivers to replace tyres before they reach the legal limit of 1.6mm. In extreme cases, driving with worn tyres can lead to prosecution for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

For cars and light commercial vehicles, this can result in a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre and three licence penalty points, according to the DVLA. If all four tyres are deemed dangerous, the fine could total £10,000, along with twelve licence points.

Regular tyre inspections and prompt repairs are therefore essential to mitigate these risks.

“We observed a stark contrast between the North and South of the UK with the data we collected from our stores across the country,” explains Craig Sprigmore, Goodyear Retail Director UK & Ireland. “It’s crucial to everyone’s safety on the road that tyres are replaced at the recommended level. If you are unsure, visit a local HiQ store and speak to one of our tyre experts for fair advice.”

(1) Data from HiQ Tyres & Autocare Road Safety Survey 2024