The usual suspects
- Tyres: low tread, cuts, bulges, wrong or mismatched tyres, underinflation.
- Lights and signals: blown bulbs, cracked lenses, trailer connections not working.
- Brakes: worn components, air leaks, imbalance. A driver may feel or hear these.
- Load security: poor restraint, damaged straps, overloaded axles.
- Wheel fixings: missing or loose nuts, rust trails around studs.
- Leaks: oil, fuel and coolant.
- Body and guarding: missing spray suppression, damaged mudguards, underrun bars.
- Windscreen and mirrors: cracks, missing mirrors or cameras.
- Paperwork: missing or out of date documents and tachograph issues.
What to do about it
- Put these items on the daily check, and make drivers look at each one.
- Take photos of anything that is wrong. They are better than words.
- Fix defects before the vehicle leaves, not after.
- Use history to spot a vehicle that keeps producing the same defect.
See the prohibition notices guide and the OCRS guide.
General information, not legal advice or a substitute for official guidance. Check HSE, DVSA and GOV.UK for current requirements.
Related
Prohibition notices explainedWhat a DVSA prohibition means, immediate versus delayed, what to do next and how daily checks help you avoid 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.Wheel nut and wheel loss safetyWheels coming off is rare and serious. Wheel nut indicators, rust trails, torque after tyre work and what drivers should look for each day.