More than 10 per cent of lorries on British roads are defective

A report from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has found a shocking number of lorries on British roads are driving with serious defects. Roadside checks of over 6,000 vehicles found 11 per cent of British-registered lorries – and 12.5 per cent of those registered overseas – carried mechanical issues.

The most common problem found was faulty brakes, a big worry on a vehicle that often weighs more than 40 tonnes. Brake defects accounted for 28 per cent of the mechanical problems in British lorries, and 33 per cent in foreign lorries. Defects with axles, wheels, tyres and suspension were also found, as well as issues with the chassis and steering.