A bald tyre is a tyre that has worn down its tread so much that it no longer provides sufficient grip on the road.
What is the penalty for having bald tyres?
Driving with bald tyres is illegal in the UK and can result in a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre, as well as three penalty points on your driving license per tyre.
What does a bald tyre look like?
A bald tyre has very little or no tread left on it. The grooves and channels in the tread have worn down, and the surface of the tyre is smooth.
How to tell if tyres are bald?
To check if your tyres are bald, you can perform a simple test using a 20p coin. Insert the coin into the main grooves of the tyre tread, making sure that the edge of the coin is touching the tread. If the outer band of the coin is visible, then your tyres may be close to or already bald and in need of replacement.
Are bald tyres dangerous?
Yes, bald tyres are very dangerous as they can greatly reduce your vehicle's ability to grip the road, especially in wet or slippery conditions.
Do bald tyres use more petrol?
Bald tyres can increase the rolling resistance of your vehicle, which means that your engine has to work harder to keep the vehicle moving.
Will bald tyres fail MOT?
Yes, bald tyres will fail an MOT test. The test includes a check of the tyre tread depth, and if it is found to be below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, the vehicle will not pass its MOT.