What's the legal tyre tread for an older vehicle?
- Search by Registration
- Tyre Search by Size
- GB
- Error
It is the responsibility of all vehicle owners to ensure the car they are driving is safe, well maintained and compliant with all UK laws. Checking the tyre tread depth of your tyres is an important part of proper vehicle maintenance, so let's explore what the law says and how you can ensure your tyres are safe to drive on.
What is the tyre tread limit in the UK?
Regardless of the age of your vehicle, you need to ensure that the tyres you're driving on in the UK and Europe have a tread depth of at least 1.6mm. The law specifically states that your tyres must meet this requirement on the entire circumference. For this reason, if you don't feel confident checking this yourself, it's wise to book an appointment at your local Protyre garage.
What is the penalty for driving on bald tyres?
Did you know that bald tyres are one of the leading causes of MOT failures in the UK? It can also get you in trouble with the police, and you risk being given three penalty points on your driving license and a £2,500 fine. If you're caught driving on four bald tyres, you may even be summoned to court, face a £10,000 fine, or lose your licence. To avoid failing your MOT or being caught by the police driving on illegal tyres, it's so important to understand the law and ensure that your vehicle is safe every time you get behind the wheel.
Why is tyre tread on old cars so important?
As your tyres are the only point of contact between the road and your vehicle, it's essential to ensure that they're safe to drive on. If your tyres are showing signs of wear, your safety and that of your vehicle and other people out on the roads will be compromised.
One of the key reasons for this is that they won't provide sufficient grip and may therefore fail to respond appropriately to manoeuvres such as braking. As older vehicles aren't equipped with the same performance and safety features as many newer cars, taking every step possible to ensure your safety is essential.
Recommended tyre tread depth for older vehicles
Many experts are of the opinion that a tyre tread depth of at least 3mm is required to ensure optimal levels of safety. During testing by the Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA), studies have found that tyres with a 1.6mm tread will travel 44% further than tyres with a 3mm tread when braking in wet conditions.
Worn tyres can be particularly dangerous in wet conditions, as they're less able to disperse water, which can compromise the contact patch between the road and the tyre. This can result in a loss of grip and an increased risk of aquaplaning.
Recommended tread depth for winter tyres
Many experts recommend replacing winter tyres when the tread depth is below 4mm. While this is significantly above the 1.6mm legal limit, the overall effectiveness of winter tyres in ice and snow is reduced when the tread starts to show signs of wear.
Understanding the 20p tyre tread depth test
It's good practice to get in the habit of checking your tyres frequently, and it's something that can be done using a 20p coin. When inserting a 20p coin into the tread grooves, you shouldn't be able to see the outer band of the coin. If you can, your tyres may be unsafe and you should have them inspected by a trusted tyre professional. Conducting this test is quick and easy, so we recommend doing it every two weeks to ensure you always have a good understanding of the condition your tyres are in.
What are tyre tread indicators?
Some tyres from brands such as Bridgestone and Pirelli feature tread wear indicators, which are embossed directly onto the tyre wall. This is usually in the form of an arrow or line located underneath the outer tread. If your tyre is flush with the indicator, this suggests that your tyre needs replacing.
If you're looking for tyres with a built-in indicator, have a chat with one of our tyre professionals who can help you select the right option for your vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's good practice to have your tyres evaluated by an expert, and this is something you can arrange at your local Protyre garage. Don't forget, bald tyres are a leading factor in MOT failures, so it's good practice to ensure you're fully aware of the condition of your tyres at all times.
As research has shown that the performance you can expect from your tyres is significantly reduced when the tread depth is below 3mm, vehicle and tyre experts recommend replacing tyres before they reach the legal 1.6mm limit.