Nil defect reporting explained
What "nil defect" actually means
Every driver must carry out a daily walkaround check before the vehicle is first used that day. Most days, nothing is wrong. A nil defect report is how the driver records that outcome: a positive confirmation that the check was done and no defects were found.
The important word is positive. "No defect report" and "a nil defect report" are not the same thing. An empty page proves nothing. A signed nil defect record proves the driver actually walked round the vehicle and made a judgement.
Why it matters more than people think
When DVSA or the Traffic Commissioner reviews your systems, they look at the trail of records, not just whether your trucks are roadworthy today. If there's a walkaround record on the days a defect was found but nothing on the "clean" days, it reads as though checks were only done when something broke — which is the opposite of a daily check.
A missing nil defect record doesn't look like "nothing was wrong that day." It looks like the check was skipped.
Consistent nil defect reporting is one of the clearest signals of a well-run operation, and it's exactly what an operator is expected to be able to produce on request.
What a valid nil defect record must show
- Date and time of the check.
- Vehicle registration (and trailer number, if towing).
- Driver's name.
- A clear statement that the check was carried out and no defects were found.
- The driver's signature — or a digital equivalent that ties the record to that driver.
It should sit alongside your defect reports and be just as easy to find. For the full list of what to inspect on the check itself, see our complete DVSA daily walkaround check guide.
Nil defect vs defect: two outcomes, one habit
The walkaround has two possible results, and both must be recorded:
- No defects → a nil defect report.
- Defect found → a defect report, passed to whoever fixes it, with a safety-critical defect meaning the vehicle must not be driven until it's put right.
Building the record into the check — rather than treating it as extra admin — is what keeps the trail complete.
Nil defect records that build themselves
With Raahi, every driver's walkaround produces a dated, signed record — defect and nil defect — stored automatically and ready for DVSA. No paper books, no gaps.
See the DVSA walkaround app →How long to keep them
Keep walkaround records, including nil defect reports, for at least 15 months and have them available for inspection. Nil defect records count towards that requirement in exactly the same way as defect reports. More on that in how long you must keep walkaround & defect records.
What is a nil defect report?
The record a driver makes to confirm the daily walkaround check was done and no defects were found. It's positive proof the check happened — not just the absence of a defect report.
Do I have to record a check when there are no defects?
Yes. The check must be recorded even when nothing is wrong. Without a nil defect record there's nothing to show the check took place, and a gap looks like a missed check.
What must a nil defect record show?
Date and time, vehicle (and trailer) registration, driver's name, a clear "checked, no defects found" statement, and the driver's signature or digital equivalent.
How long must nil defect records be kept?
At least 15 months, available for DVSA inspection — the same as defect reports.