Will my tyres pass the MOT?

If your car is over 3 years old, it will need to be assessed during it’s MOT every year.

The test checks key areas of your car to ensure that they are in good mechanical condition. Some of the parts checked include the exhaust system, brakes, vehicle structures and, of course, your tyres.

Tyres need to be in good working condition and meet all the relevant legal requirements if they are to pass the MOT. 

According to the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency), tyre-related issues accounted for 13% of MOT failures in 2023.

Tyre Tread Depth in MOT

The UK’s legal minimum requirement for tread depth is 1.6mm. This needs to be the case across 75% of the central part of the tyre, around the entire circumference.

If the tread depth of your tyres is below this limit, they fail the MOT.

On top of this, if you are caught by the police with a tread depth below the legal requirement you can face 3 penalty points and a £2500 fine per tyre.

So make sure to check your tread depth regularly.

Matching Tyres on Axle MOT

Across the axle on your car you need to have tyres with matching structures. By this I mean they need to both be radial or they both need to be crossply.

If you have mismatched tyre structures on the same axel then this will be reason for an MOT fail.

It’s worth noting, this does not include tread pattern. A mismatch in tread pattern across the axel is not cause for a failure. But it is also not recommended from a performance point of view. 

Correct Tyre Pressure MOT

Make sure you have your tyres set to the correct tyre pressure. An under-inflated tyre impacts the performance of the tyre and the vehicle. It can cause issues such as poor handling and in extreme cases, lead to a tyre blowout. For these reasons, under-inflated tyres would be cause for an MOT fail.

Check your vehicle handbook to find the recommended tyre pressure for your vehicle and make sure you check the tyres regularly to ensure they are maintained at this level. 

Working TPMS for MOT

If you car is fitting with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System then this will be checked as a part of the MOT. If the system is faulty and not working correctly, this can lead to a fail. 

Regular servicing can make sure your TPMS is in good working order. And help to spot and issues before they become a problem.

No Damage to Sidewall

If your car tyres have serious damage on the sidewall this can lead to an MOT failure. 

Sidewall damage can take the form of a lump, bulge or tear. These are signs that there is an internal problem with the tyre and within the inner workings something has become separated or broken. 

Smaller cuts on a sidewall could just land you an advisory notice during the MOT test. If this is the case, you will want replace the tyre sooner rather than later – before it gets any worse.

Exposed Cords & Plys

Another reason for a tyre to fail can be a significant tear in other part of the tyre – which exposes the cords or ply of the tyre. 

MOT Tyre Rules

The following table should help to make sense of what passes, what gets an advisory, or what will result in a failure.

MOT Test Tyres

As long as your tyres are in good working order and they do not have any of the issues we’ve gone through, you should not have a problem from your tyres when it comes to the MOT.

Remember, it’s best to check your tyres on a regular basis to ensure that they are fit for purpose and meet all the legal requirements. 

MOT Tyres Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need a Spare Tyre to Pass an MOT?

No, a spare tyre is not checked during an MOT. However, if a spare tyre is fitted to the vehicle at the time of testing, it must be road legal.

How Old Can Tyres Be Before They Fail an MOT?

There is no specific age limit for car tyres in MOT tests. However, tyres older than 10 years are automatically illegal on HGVs, buses, and coaches.

Can a Car Fail an MOT for Under-Inflated Tyres?

Yes. If tyres appear visibly under-inflated, this can cause an MOT failure due to potential safety risks.

Can I Have Different Tyres on the Front and Rear Axles?

Yes, as long as they meet the legal tread depth and load rating requirements. However, tyres on the same axle must be of the same construction (both radial or both cross-ply).

Will My Car Fail If My Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Is Faulty?

Yes. If your car has TPMS and the warning light is on, this will result in an MOT failure.

Do tyres have to match for MOT?

You should always have matching tyre structures on the same axle and ideally on each wheel. If your tyres do not match on a single structure, it will lead to an MOT failure.