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Tyre tread depth and the UK legal limit
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The legal minimum
In the UK, car tyres must have at least 1.6 mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the tyre, all the way round. Driving on an illegal tyre can lead to a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points per tyre.
How to check
- Tread depth gauge: cheap and accurate. Measure in several places across and around the tyre.
- 20p coin: put it into the main grooves. If you can see the outer band of the coin, the tread may be close to or below the limit.
- Wear bars: small raised bars in the grooves. When the tread is level with them, the tyre is at the limit.
Replace earlier
The legal minimum is not the safe minimum. Stopping distances in the wet get longer as tread wears down, and many drivers choose to replace tyres at around 3 mm.
Also look for
- Cuts, bulges or cracks in the sidewall
- Uneven wear, which can point to alignment or pressure problems
- Nails or screws in the tread
Compare tyres and book fitting at a local garage on Tirendo. Useful if you would rather buy online and have them fitted at a garage near you.
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