Cengolio · Fines · Codes · CU20
CU20 : causing or likely to cause danger by reason of use of unsuitable vehicle or using a vehicle with parts or accessories (excluding brakes, steering or tyres) in a dangerous condition
Checked 22 July 2026 · How we check our figures
What it means
CU20 is the family's danger clause: an unsuitable vehicle, or parts and accessories in a dangerous condition, s. 40A RTA 1988, everything except the brakes, steering and tyres that carry their own codes. Unlike those three, the charge needs danger on the facts, caused or likely, and that is where these cases are argued: the cracked windscreen and the loose bumper live or die on what an examiner says danger means here. Flat 3 points on the 4-year clock, family pattern otherwise.
Points and how long it stays
3 points.
On the licence for 4 years from the date of the offence.
The CU codes are the vehicle's own offences: brakes, tyres and steering under s. 41A RTA 1988 (CU10, CU30, CU40), dangerous condition and dangerous loads under s. 40A (CU20, CU50), and the control-of-vehicle code CU80 alongside. All carry 3 points on the 4-year offence clock, CU80 alone ranging to 6. The arithmetic multiplies before it settles: each defective item is its own offence, so four worn tyres are four charges, though for offences from the same occasion the court normally endorses only the highest points, s. 28 RTOA 1988, unless it decides otherwise. An MOT certificate does not answer any of it, it speaks to the test day, not the roadside. And where a defect is minor, the stop can end in a vehicle defect rectification notice, proof of repair in place of a penalty (gov.uk, checked 2026-07-22). The points arithmetic sits in the penalty points calculator at /fines/penalty-points.
The usual route
The officer's menu runs from the endorsable fixed penalty of 100 pounds and 3 points to a summons where the danger is not arguable (gov.uk, checked 2026-07-22).
If it goes to court
In court the fine is income-banded at the lower bands, with a higher ceiling for goods vehicles; mechanics in the fine bands guide.
Read next
Guide: Single justice procedure →
Calculator: the code decoder, every code on the official list →
Authority
gov.uk, Penalty points (endorsements), checked 2026-07-22