Why it happens
- Wheel nuts not tightened to the right torque after a wheel is refitted.
- Nuts not re-tightened after the first short run.
- Damaged studs or worn wheel faces.
- Wrong or mixed-up fixings.
- Corrosion hiding looseness.
What drivers can check daily
- All wheel nuts present, with no gaps.
- Rust trails or shiny streaks radiating from a nut, which can mean movement.
- Wheel nut indicators still pointing in line, if fitted.
- No strange noises, vibration or pulling in the drive.
What the workshop must do
- Torque to the manufacturer's value with a calibrated wrench.
- Re-check torque after a short distance following any wheel work.
- Replace damaged studs and fixings, never reuse damaged ones.
- Record who did the work and when.
Report with a photo
If a driver sees a rust trail or a missing nut, take a photo, report it and do not drive until it is checked. In Kovi, that report reaches the office straight away.
General information, not legal advice or a substitute for official guidance. Check HSE, DVSA and GOV.UK for current requirements.
Related
Why vehicles fail roadside checksThe usual causes of roadside defects and prohibitions: tyres, lights, brakes, load security, wheel fixings and leaks, and the daily check that prevents them.Tyre checks for lorries and vansTread, pressure, damage and age: what a driver can check on a tyre in thirty seconds, and when to stop and report it.