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UK Tyre law is fairly straight forward, with only a few rules to follow.
While being simple, it’s also extremely important to ensure you are within the law. Not just to avoid hefty fines or MOT failures, but to keep yourself and other road users safe.
Car tyres are the only part of your vehicle that remain in contact with the road, so it is vital that they are maintained.
The tyre legislation in the UK helps to provide detail for what to look for when maintaining a tyre and staying safe on the roads.
The specific requirements to meet legal tyre standards in the UK are minimum tread depth, fit for purpose, free from defects, and correct tyre pressure.
In the UK, the minimum legal tyre tread depth for cars, trailers and goods vehicles weighing less than 3,500kg is 1.6mm across the centre 75% of the tread and around the entire circumference of the tyre.
Failure to meet this can result in a fine of up to £2,500 and 3 points on your licence.
Depending on the vehicle classification, the legal minimum tread depth can vary. Here are the key categories and their tread depth.
Vehicle Type | Legal Minimum Tread Depth |
Cars, Trailers, Vans (Under 3,500kg) | 1.6mm across central 75% of tread |
Motorcycles (Over 50cc) | 1mm across 75% of tread |
Mopeds (Under 50cc) | Original tread pattern must be visible |
Buses, Large Goods Vehicles | 1mm across 75% of tread |
Checking your tread depth regularly helps you avoid legal trouble and improves safety.
Here are three simple methods:
For a tyre to be considered ‘fit for purpose’ it must not have any of the following:
To ensure your tyre is free from defects and considered fit for purpose, it’s important to visually inspect your tyres regularly.
This can take less than one minute per tyre to do and could save you from a nasty accident.
A damaged or unroadworthy tyre is one of the most common causes of MOT failure.
Tyre pressure varies between vehicles and tyres – to ensure your tyre pressures are correct it is recommended to check them at least once a month and before long journeys.
To find the correct tyre pressure for your vehicle, you can look in the vehicle owner’s manual, or it is often found on a sticker attached to the vehicle, either in the driver’s door check or on the back of the petrol flap.
Incorrect tyre pressure can result in increased braking distances and less grip, as well as having a negative impact on tyre wear and fuel consumption.
To check your tyre pressure, you can use a personal pressure gauge or tyre inflator; however, most fuel stations have coin-operated inflators that are very simple to use.
Other than increased risk of an accident and endangering yourself and other road users, if you are caught with an illegal tyre you could face prosecution for driving a vehicle in dangerous condition.
One illegal tyre could land you with a fine of up to £2,500 and 3 points on your license—if all 4 tyres are outside the legal requirements, you could face a £10,000 fine and 12 points!
If you are involved in an accident and your tyres do not meet the legal requirements, your insurance may also be invalidated as a result.
To learn more about maintaining your tyres and their health, take a look at our article on ‘ Checking Tyre Health’ for tips on how to ensure your tyres are safe and meet the legal requirements.
Is 2mm tread depth legal?
Yes, 2mm of tread depth is legal. Tyres must have a legal minimum of 1.6mm. Anything above this is within the rules of the law.
Can my car fail its MOT because of tyres?
Yes, worn or damaged tyres are a major cause of MOT failures. If tread depth is below 1.6mm or tyres have visible defects, you will fail your MOT.
How fast does tyre tread wear?
On average, tyres lose about 1mm of tread every 3,000 - 5,000 miles. However, there are a number of factors that can affect this. And the amount will vary on driving habits, road conditions, and tyre quality.
What happens if I have an accident with illegal tyres?
Your insurance claim could be denied, and you may face criminal prosecution for driving a vehicle in an unsafe condition.
Where can I get my tyres checked?
You can check them yourself using the 20p test or visit a trusted garage or tyre specialist for a free check.
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