What Makes Your Tyres Illegal?

Want to stay safe and legally compliant on the road? Driving with legal tyres is a must.

Illegal tyres can pose certain safety risks and even land you hefty fines – so it pays to keep on top of tyre maintenance.

Are Your Tyres Legal?

You should consider these legal tyre requirements when you’re investing in maintenance:

• Adequate tread depth

• Suitable condition

• Correct type, speed and load ratings for your vehicle

• Working TPMS (if your vehicle is equipped)

In the UK, the legal minimum for tyre tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around the entire circumference.

Your tyres will be considered illegal if the tread depth falls below this legal limit at any point of these sections.

Your car’s tyres work better with deeper tread, helping you stay in control even in wet weather.

To ensure your tyres are always safe and legal, always replace them when the tread depth is approaching 3mm.

As for tyre condition, your tyres should be free of any cuts, bulges or damage that could affect their structural integrity.

A functioning TPMS system (if your vehicle is fitted with one) is important because a warning light can result in MOT failure, which may mean your vehicle is unroadworthy.

How to Check If Your Tyres Are Legal

You can carry out the 20p test to check your car’s tread depth, inserting the coin into the tread grooves on the tyre. If you can’t see the outer band on the coin, then your tyres should be above the legal limit.

A visual check of your tyre’s condition can also help to determine how worn out your tyres are. Even if wear and tear isn’t obvious, your tyres may still need to be replaced due to age-related deterioration.

What Do Illegal Tyres Look Like?

An illegal tyre can show bulging, damage or cracks – or that the tread has visibly worn away and looks ‘bald’.

If you can see any of the internal structure, this is also a sign that a replacement is needed.

So, if your tyre is approaching the legal limit or shows visible signs of uneven wear, it’s time to have them replaced.

What If I Have an Accident on Illegal Tyres?

Driving on illegal tyres when you are involved in an accident could result in any insurance claims being invalidated.

This could mean that your insurer won’t pay out any money on the repairs your vehicle needs.

Not to mention that you could face a £2,500 fine and three points on your licence – which is why it’s so important that you maintain your tyres all year round.

Bear in mind that the fine and penalty points apply per tyre, meaning you could be looking at a fine of £10,000 and 12 penalty points.

So, there you have it - a nice reminder to take care of your tyres all year round.

Want to make informed choices about your vehicle's future? It starts with taking action today.

We've made it easier than ever to compare local tyre providers, so you never have to worry about the condition of your car's tyres.