One of the most essential parts of any vehicle is its tyres and they often suffer the most wear and tear due to their constant use whether driving or parked. This is why we recommend that you regularly check your tyres to ensure they’re legal, roadworthy and safe to drive on.
If you drive an electric vehicle (EV) or a heavy plug-in hybrid company car, regular checks are even more vital. The instant torque and increased battery weight of EVs can cause tyres to wear out up to 30% faster than standard petrol or diesel alternatives.
It’s also worth noting that your tyres are checked annually as part of your MOT, and if they don't meet strict legal requirements, the vehicle will fail its MOT. Note that if your dashboard displays a permanently illuminated Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) warning light, this is classified as a major defect and results in an automatic MOT failure. If your vehicle is not yet three years old, it won't require an MOT, but you should still have the tyres checked as part of regular scheduled servicing, and your garage will advise if they are approaching the legal limits.
Though your tyres will be checked by a mechanic as part of the MOT and service, we still advise that you check them yourself regularly throughout the year.
There are three main aspects of your tyre you need to check:
It's quick and easy to check each of these aspects and this guide will help you understand what to look for.
We recommend checking your tyres at least once a month, which is what we ask our maintenance clients to do, but if you're covering a lot of miles then you might want to increase it to every fortnight or so. If you’re about to set off on a long journey then you might also want to check the tyre pressure and do a visual check of the tyre conditions.
It’s also advisable that if you spot any wear or potential damage, the tyre is repaired or replaced as soon as you're able. This avoids any further damage to the tyre or vehicle and helps to keep you and your passengers as safe as possible.
Checking general tyre condition
Firstly, conduct a visual inspection of the tyres. You should look for any cuts or cracks on the tyre surface, around the entire tyre. These suggest the tyre has lost some of its rigidity and structural composition and could be unsafe to drive on. You should try to get the tyre repaired or replaced if you notice larger cracks or any cuts. Small cracks can be normal wear and tear caused by exposure to UV light but if you’re ever concerned about the size of one, speak to your garage or tyre provider to see if it can be repaired or needs replacing.
Also look to see if there are any bulges to the tyre sidewalls which can happen when the sidewall is damaged and the structural integrity of the tyre is weakened. The air pressure within the tyre creates the bulge. If you spot one on your tyre it’s important it's replaced as soon as possible as it could blow out at any time, which can be dangerous when driving.
If you have a bulging tyre and your vehicle has a spare wheel then you might consider putting it on so you can travel to have the tyre replaced. We’ve got a guide here on how to change a tyre.
The tread on your tyre is an important safety feature as it's what helps your wheels maintain grip and traction on the surface, preventing the vehicle from sliding and crashing. The fact that most countries have a minimum tyre tread depth reflects its importance.
In the UK, the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre width around the entire wheel. However, safety organisations strongly advise replacing tyres once they drop below 3mm, as braking distances on wet roads increase dramatically between 3mm and the legal minimum of 1.6mm.
To check the depth, you can use a specialised tread depth tool, a ruler or even a 20 pence piece. Using the 20p, you’ll just need to put the coin in the tread and check that the tread is more than the border of that edge.
If you find that any of your tyres have a tread below 1.6mm then you should get them replaced as soon as possible.
Another check you’ll want to make is the tyre pressure.
Every model has a different recommended pressure as the optimum pressure varies depending on the weight and design of the vehicle.
You’ll be able to find your car’s recommended pressure in the vehicle manual, on the manufacturer’s website or sometimes on the vehicle itself, in a convenient location like the driver door sill.
You should be aware that some models have different pressure recommendations for the front and rear tyres and so you might need to adjust the pressure on the machine during your checks.
To assess pressure you can use a public tyre pressure machine, available at nearly every fuel station in the country, or you can purchase a tyre pressure unit to check tyres at home, work or wherever else needed. Unless you're doing a lot of driving or are particularly concerned about your tyre pressure then using public units will suffice.
Please note you should only ever check your tyre pressure when the tyres are cold as heat affects the pressure and filling while hot can have dangerous results. A short drive to a close by fuel station shouldn't heat the tyres up too much but checking after a long journey won't give you an accurate reading.
If you find you're having to top up one tyre more than the others or that your tyre pressure warning light comes on frequently then you might have a slow puncture which you should check the tyre for.
Can I check my tyres at home?
Yes, you can check your tyres at home!
Visual checks can be done anywhere where there's good lighting and it's safe for you to move around the vehicle.
The tyre tread depth can also be checked from home as all you need is a ruler or a 20 pence piece.
If you want to do the checks entirely at home then you'll need to invest in a tyre pressure gauge then head to an air machine to fill it up or use a portable tyre inflator.
How often should I check my tyre pressure?
We recommend checking your vehicle condition, including the tyres and tyre pressure, once a month.
If you drive a lot then you'll want to check the pressure more regularly, either once a fortnight or weekly depending on how many miles you cover. Additionally, if you're going on a long trip then you should check the pressure before you set off, as properly inflated tyres can improve your fuel economy.
How often should I check my tyre tread depth?
Just like with your tyre pressure, we recommend checking your tyre tread depth at least once a month. As you notice the tread getting close to the 3mm safety threshold, you should check them more regularly so you can arrange replacement tyres before your wet-weather grip drops dangerously low. If you drive a high-mileage company car or an EV, your tyres will experience wear much more quickly, so checking them every fortnight is highly recommended.
What is the legal tyre tread depth?
The legal requirement for tyre tread depth is 1.6mm around the entire circumference of the central three-quarters of the wheel. This is the case for all of the vehicle's tyres including the spare tyre if you end up using it.
What happens if my tread is below the minimum?
There is a legal depth requirement on tyre tread as driving on tyres that are too worn is dangerous for you and other road users. A bald tyre (one with too thin a tread) can be extremely dangerous as your vehicle won't have the same level of traction especially in wet weather and will be more susceptible to a puncture and damage.
If you're found to be driving a vehicle with tyres that don't meet the legal requirements then you can be fined up to £2,500 and receive three penalty points on your driving licence per tyre. A full set of bald tyres could result in a £10,000 fine and a driving ban.
Head back to our driver’s guides for more helpful content on looking after your vehicle and driver responsibilities.
