Ultimate Guide to Car Tyre Tread: How to Check It, How Long It Lasts & More
Charlotte Phillips, 9 months ago
5 min read
- Tyres
- Maintenance
FixMyCar discusses the legal car tyre tread requirements, how to check your tyre tread and how long your tyres should last.
Having tyres on your car that are in good condition is not only crucial for the safety of you and your passengers but also a requirement by law. As your car ages, so do the tyres; ultimately, this causes the tread of your tyres to wear down.
But what should your tyre tread depth be to meet this legal requirement, and how can you check? Read on to find out.
Contents
What's the legal minimum depth of tread for car tyres?
How to check your tyre tread depth
What is tyre tread for?
If you’ve ever purchased a new car, you'll notice the tyres' rubber is firm, and the grooves (also known as the tyre tread) are deep and rigid. Even if you haven’t got a new car, you can spot good-condition tyres from their tread depth and general appearance. These grooves in the rubber help keep the tyres in contact with the road, particularly during wet weather.
Worn-out ‘bald’ tyres make it difficult for your car to gain enough traction to pull you forward and brake responsively. That’s why it’s so important that your tyres meet the minimum tread depth requirement at all times.
What’s the legal minimum depth of tread for car tyres?
UK law states that the minimum tyre tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters, which is 75% of the tread around the entire tyre's circumference.
Having tyre tread within the legal minimum requirement helps keep you and other road users safe. The deeper the tyre tread, the better its grip and ability to clear water from the road. Without tread on your tyres, you’d find it extremely difficult to control your car.
Driving with bald tyres is illegal in the UK and can result in a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre, plus three points on your licence per tyre.
Find out how winter tyres differ from summer tyres in this guide.
How to check your tyre tread depth
Checking that your tyres meet the legal minimum depth requirement is simple and can be done in a couple of different ways.
The 20p tyre tread test
Have a rummage through an old drawer, and you’ll likely find a 20p coin, which is all you need to be able to do this.
Place a twenty-pence piece into the main tread grooves of the tyre. It’s also a good idea to check three places on each tyre, as sometimes tyres wear unevenly.
If the outer band of the tyre is obscured when the coin is inserted, the tyre is at or above the legal limit and can safely be driven on.
If the outer band of the tyre is still visible when inserting the coin, the tread is insufficient and, therefore, illegal. Do not attempt to drive on these tyres.
This quick and easy hack is a simple way to check your tyre tread without visiting a garage.
Check out our full guide to the 20p tyre tread test for more information.
Checking your tyre tread with a tyre depth gauge
Another way you can check your car’s tyre tread depth is by using a tyre tread depth gauge. A tyre tread gauge is a purpose-made tool that can measure the depth of an individual tyre groove.
These handy tools are relatively cheap to buy and can help detect patterns of wear earlier than simply assessing the tread with vision. You can expect to pay between £3-£10 on average for one of these devices.
To measure tyre tread depth using a tyre tread depth gauge, follow these steps:
Step1
Park up your vehicle on a flat, level surface and apply the handbrake. Make sure your tyres are properly inflated to ensure accurate measurements.
Step 2
Locate the tread wear indicators. Tyre manufacturers often include small indicators (raised bars or arrows) within the tread grooves to help determine when the tire has reached its minimum tread depth and needs to be replaced.
Step 3
Insert the tread depth gauge into the groove. Place the pins of the gauge into the tread groove vertically.
Step 4
Check the gauge display to read the depth of the tread. The measurement is usually given in millimetres (mm) or inches (in).
Step 5
Repeat the process. Measure multiple locations across the tyre's width and circumference to get an accurate average reading.
How much tread should there be on a new tyre?
A brand new car tyre should begin its life with approximately 8-9mm of tread depth. You can continue to drive on the tyre until it reaches the legal minimum tread of 1.6mm.
How long do tyres last?
As a rough figure, you can expect to get at least 20,000 miles out of your front tyres and 40,000 out of your back tyres. Front tyres generally wear out faster because they undergo greater traction, cornering, and braking force than the rear tyres. In addition, the added weight of engine and transmission components found in the front of the vehicle can cause the front tyres to wear out more quickly.
Just like many things, however, your tyres are highly susceptible to premature wear depending on several factors:
Your driving style - repeated aggressive acceleration and high-speed cornering will cause your tyres to wear out more quickly.
The road conditions - rough terrain and potholes can decrease your tyres' lifespan.
The quality of the tyre - you can expect the tread on premium tyres to last longer than budget tyres.
Lack of use - the rubber polymers that make up a tyre become hard and brittle, resulting in cracks if the car is unused.
How long will 5mm tyre tread last?
On average, you can expect a tyre with a tread of 5mm to last at least 20,000 miles. That said, this is only a ballpark figure and not a standard. You must check your tyres regularly for any signs of wear.
How long will 3mm tyre tread last?
As expected, tyres with a 3mm tread will last slightly less time than a 5mm tread. You can expect a tyre with a 3mm tread to last around 10,000-15,000 miles.
How long will 2mm tyre tread last?
Tyres with a 2mm tread can be expected to last significantly less time, around 1,000 miles. While a 2mm tyre tread is above the legal minimum depth, many tyre manufacturers, motoring groups and safety experts believe that 1.6mm is insufficient to guarantee safety, with many recommending a minimum tread depth of 3mm instead.
Whether you need a new tyre or a repair, our network of trained mechanics is here to help.
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