More than 342,000 vehicles have been flagged as unroadworthy on South Africa's roads, according to figures from the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS) recently shared by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy.

As winter conditions settle across the country, these concerns are becoming even more relevant for motorists.

Recent enforcement operations by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) targeting unroadworthy taxis have once again placed the spotlight on vehicle safety and maintenance. While the crackdown has focused on public transport vehicles, the reality is that many private motorists may be driving with the same underlying safety issues, often without realising it.

Many roadworthiness concerns, including worn tyres, deteriorating brakes, faulty lights and weakening batteries, develop gradually over time. Because these issues do not always affect day-to-day driving immediately, they are often overlooked until winter conditions expose them.

Cold mornings, wet roads and reduced visibility place additional pressure on tyres, brakes, batteries and lighting systems. Winter tends to highlight maintenance problems motorists may have delayed addressing for months.

Motorists should use this period as an opportunity to proactively assess their vehicles rather than waiting for a breakdown, roadside inspection or costly repair.

From years of working with motorists at fitment centres, here are the five areas drivers should prioritise:

1. Tyre condition

Tyres remain one of the most common reasons vehicles fail roadworthy inspections.

Many motorists wait until tyres look visibly worn before replacing them, but by then braking performance and wet-road grip have already been compromised.

Moreover, uneven tyre wear may also indicate underlying alignment or suspension problems affecting the vehicle’s handling.

2. Brake response

Brake deterioration usually happens gradually, making it difficult for motorists to notice changes immediately.

If brakes squeal, vibrate, feel softer than usual or the vehicle takes longer to stop, those are warning signs drivers should not ignore.

Winter roads amplify existing brake problems because reduced traction naturally increases stopping distances.

3. Vehicle lights

With many South Africans commuting before sunrise and after sunset during winter, visibility becomes increasingly important.

Faulty brake lights, dim headlights and weak indicators are still very common problems during inspections.

Motorists should not only check whether lights switch on but whether they remain bright and effective enough for safe driving conditions.

4. Battery performance

Cold weather often exposes battery problems motorists may not have noticed beforehand.

Winter mornings place additional strain on older batteries. Slow ignition starts, dim dashboard lights and electrical delays are usually early warning signs. Many motorists only realise the battery is failing once the vehicle no longer starts.

5. Free safety checks

One of the most overlooked preventative measures available to motorists is the free vehicle safety inspections offered at many fitment centres.

A simple inspection can identify tyre wear, brake issues, weak batteries or alignment problems before they become major safety risks or expensive repairs.

Motorists should stop viewing vehicle checks as something only necessary before long-distance travel or licence renewals.

Roadworthiness is not only about avoiding fines or roadblocks. It directly affects how safely your vehicle responds when conditions on the road suddenly change.