Mot Legal Limit on Tyres

The tread depth of tires is usually about 7 mm, but the legal tread depth is 1.6 mm. The tires in the car must also be properly matched, so they must have the right type, size, structure and axle of the vehicle. The legal tread depth for cars in the UK and Europe is 1.6mm on the centre three-quarters of the tyre. In addition to wear, tires are susceptible to internal damage. However, unlike a flat tire or excessive wear, internal damage can be difficult to identify, especially if there is no immediate impact on the vehicle`s driving behavior. Also watch out for potholes, as crushing them can have serious consequences. Most tires now also have a depth indicator, as shown in the image above. The depth indicator is located around the tire inside the groove. This is an easy way to check the depth of your tread. As soon as this groove indicator flattens with the top of the tread, the tires are at 1.6 mm. According to DVSA, 10% of TÜV failures were due to tyres? And since one of the easiest parts of your vehicle to check and replace, it`s a technical inspection error that could be avoided! Take a look at our helpful tips and TUV tyre regulations to make sure your tyres don`t cause you to fail your roadworthiness test. That`s per tyre, so four illegal tyres could mean a £10,000 fine and 12 penalty points.

READ MORE: Should I buy winter tires? Pros and Cons and Costs Explained In an ideal world, you should check the tread depth and pressure of your tire at least once every two weeks and at least once a month. Safe and correct walks are crucial, especially over long distances and on motorways. Book a free tire check More tread means more grip. Keep in mind that although the legal limit is 1.6mm, anything less than 3mm can seriously affect performance and safety. You should always have appropriate tire structures (radial or transverse) on the same axle and ideally on each wheel. If your tires do not fit a single structure, it will lead to a technical inspection failure, as this can be dangerous, which can lead to unpredictable braking and handling. This does not apply to samples – other construction tyres including the Run On Flat, load and speed can be mixed in the UK, but this is strongly discouraged. Misalignment of the wheels or worn suspension can lead to uneven wear on the inner or outer edge of the tire while the tread remains intact. You can check the condition of your tires by running a 20p piece along the tread – the outer edge of a 20p is 1.6mm thick, so if the tread is below that mark, it will likely be less than the legal tread depth. If you have recently suffered a flat tire and used a light or space-saving tire, you must replace it before your roadworthiness test.

These tires are designed to take you home or to a workshop after a flat tire – they are not suitable for daily or prolonged use and will prevent your vehicle from complying with its technical inspection. The tread depth groove in the tires tells you that when your tires have reached the absolute legal minimum of 1.6 mm, ideally you should change your tires earlier. The best way to check your tread depth is to purchase a tread depth gauge. The meter gives you the exact amount of tread left and becomes much more accurate. The profile depth gauge is available in different shapes. The most accurate is the digital type, but the analog type is just as good. Checking the tread depth of tires for your technical inspection can easily be done at home with a 20p part. Simply place the workpiece in three different places on the tire in the tread grooves. If part of the outer strip of the part is visible, the tread of your tire is too low and your tires need to be replaced. Remember: – Check the tread depth of all four tires – Check the interior, center and exterior tires. The new tires feature symmetrical tread patterns that ensure a smooth ride, high directional stability and low rolling resistance. In addition, a tread at the legal limit or above also provides robust protection against aquaplaning, excellent maneuverability in snow and safe handling at high speeds.

Directional tires must be mounted on the sidewall as indicated. You can use arrows and/or words to indicate the direction of forward rotation. Tyre and safety experts believe that the legal minimum of 1.6mm is not enough to ensure safety – most recommend a minimum tread depth of 3mm for tyre changes. However, they are not indestructible and you should check their tread and condition regularly. Keep in mind that, unlike standard tires, flat tires can`t be repaired, so you`ll need to replace them immediately as soon as they`re damaged. For more information on tires, read our complete guide to buying tires or our complete guide to tire safety and maintenance. However, driving with dangerous or faulty tyres also carries the risk of a fine of up to £2,500 and three points on their licence. If you are involved in an accident and the car you are driving has illegal or bald tires, you need to be aware of the consequences. A tire tread check begins with a thorough visual inspection. Start by turning the steering wheel to see the entire surface of the tread. They look for signs of irregular wear that could affect one area of the tread more than another. If the tires wear evenly, you need to determine if you have enough tread on your tire.

Book a free tire check A quick visual check of your tread depth can be done by simply looking at the wear indicators you find in the grooves of the tread pattern. However, a more accurate and reliable way is to use a depth gauge. It is small enough to fit in the glove compartment and gives an accurate measurement of the tread depth of your tires. Use a profile depth gauge – a tool that gives you a quick and easy-to-read measurement. During a roadworthiness test, the overall condition of your tires will be examined and severe cuts, bulges or dents will most likely lead to failure. Before your roadworthiness test and every three weeks, you should check your tires for signs of damage. Motocross tires are tires in which the distance between the tread blocks is much greater than the size of the blocks themselves. Damage to the sidewall of your tire, such as a knot, bulge or crack caused by separation or partial failure, may result in total tire failure or a serious accident and could fail a technical inspection. Small cuts that are not deep enough to expose the carcass may not be a mistake. However, some cuts and splits may still have a recommendation.

It is recommended that you regularly visually check the condition of your tires and replace damaged sidewall tires as soon as possible to ensure the safety, handling and performance of the vehicle. In addition, motocross tires, tires designated as racing tires by their manufacturer and tires labeled “NHS” or “NOT FOR HIGHWAY USE” on the sidewall are also not suitable unless the sidewall of the tire is labeled with: You can purchase tread gauges to help you assess the depth of the tire tread, and you can also get more basic color-coded tools, This lets you know at a glance if a tire is legal or not. The legal limit for the minimum tread depth of your tires is 1.6 millimeters, on 3/4 of the middle of the tread on the entire circumference of the tire. Your vehicle will not be able to pass the TÜV test if it turns out that it is using the wrong tires. You should use tires of the right size for your vehicle, as outlined in your vehicle`s manual. You can easily check if your tires are the right size by comparing the tire size printed on the sidewall with the front and rear tire sizes listed in the vehicle manual. In heavy rain, each tire can move a gallon of water every second, which shows how hard tires work. You can increase your chances of passing your roadworthiness test and extending the life of your tires by performing regular maintenance and checks on your tires throughout the year.