Tyre safety: everything you need to know

October is Tyre Safety month - an annual campaign championed by the charity TyreSafe to raise awareness about the importance of tyre maintenance and safety checks.

So it is the perfect time to go over some important tyre safety pointers

Tyre Pressure

You need to ensure that your tyres have the manufacturer’s recommended air pressure. This is simply a fundamental aspect of tyre maintenance. One that you should not neglect. So much of the performance of a tyre is reliant on that air pressure. 

Over-inflated tyres can lead to a harsher ride, reduced grip, and uneven tread wear, while under-inflated tyres can result in poor handling, higher fuel consumption, and even a risk of blowouts.

To make sure your tyres are in the best possible condition, its recommend that you check them at least once a month. Also, before you go on any long journey. 

Importance Of Tread Depth

Tyre tread depth plays a critical role in ensuring you are safe when driving on the road.

The tread of your tyre directly affects the levels of grip, stability, and its ability to handle different road conditions. This is particularly true for wet road surfaces.

Tread Depth Legal Requirements

The UK's legal minimum tread depth for tyres is 1.6mm – this needs to be the case across 75% of the width of the tread and around the entire circumference.

Checking Tread Depth

To check if your car tyres meet the legal tread depth, you can use a tread depth gauge or a simple yet effective method—the 20p coin test.

Take a 20p coin and insert it into the main tread. Check which part of the 20p is visible. If the outer band is completely hidden within the tread, your tread depth is still legal. If any part of the outer band remains visible above the tread, it indicates that your tyre's tread depth is below the legal limit. It’s advisable to check tread depth at least once a month, similar to air pressure checks.

The Importance of Tyre Condition

Beyond tread depth and pressure, you need to also inspect the overall condition on a regular basis. Some roads can be tough on tyres and problems can arise over time.

Look out for cracks, bulges, uneven wear, and foreign objects. These are signs that indicate damage or poor tyre health is present. It will often require immediate attention.

Tyre Alignment and Wheel Balancing

Maintaining proper tyre alignment and wheel balance is another important aspect that affects.

Poor alignment or unbalanced tyres can cause uneven wear and reduced fuel efficiency. If your car suffers from either of these then it will feel harder to control.

Regular checks with a tyre fitter can prevent these issues and ensure your tyres last longer.

How Weather Impacts Tyre Safety

Wet road conditions demand healthy tread depth for grip. But other weather conditions can also impact tyre safety. Although not as high an issue in the UK, hot weather can cause tyres to overheat and wear out faster.

In the winter months cold or icy conditions cause tyres to stiffen, losing grip. This is why all season tyres or winter tyres are very useful in cold weather. Their higher levels of silica help the tyre to remain flexible to maintain control and safety.

Tyre Defects and MOT Failures

Recent MOT testing data from the DVSA highlight the importance of regular tyre maintenance.

Between 2019 and 2024, the percentage of tests on class 3 and class 4 vehciles that identified tyre defects decreased slightly—from 6.89% in 2019-2020 to 6.37% in 2023-2024.

However, tyre defects continue to make up a significant proportion of overall MOT failures - rising slightly from 11.77% to 12.56% of all defects during this period.

The percentage of tyres deemed dangerously defective dropped from 5.57% to 4.83% over the same timeframe. Yet, even with this decline, dangerous defects still accounted for around 60% of all tyre-related defects, indicating that tyre issues found during MOTs are often severe.

Major defects (those that are serious but not immediately dangerous) have seen a small increase, from 2.67% of tyre defects in 2019-2020 to 3.60% in 2023-2024.

While fewer tyres are considered dangerous, there’s still room for improvement when it comes to general tyre health.

Legal and Safety Consequences

Driving on illegal tyres can result in fines of up to £2,500 and 3 penalty points on your driving license. This is per illegal tyre. 

Remember To Check Your Tyres

Don't take chances with your safety or your wallet. Regularly check your tyres for air pressure, tread depth, and overall condition.

If you're uncertain, many garages and tyre fitting centres offer tyre safety checks, providing expert guidance to keep you and your tyres in top shape. Make tyre safety a priority before you drive on the road.