How to tell if your tyres are worn

Even the most high-quality tyres wear out with time. It’s important to regularly check them for signs of wear and damage.

If not, you may be breaking the law, as well as increasing the risk of dangerous accidents.

Here’s how to tell if your tyres are worn, and the dangers of not replacing them.

The dangers of driving with worn tyres

As worn tyres have less grip on the road, your stopping distance increases substantially. According to RoSPA, a worn tyre can increase stopping distances by up to 44.6%.

You may also find your tyres perform less well in wet conditions, increasing the chances of aquaplaning and losing control of your vehicle.

Worn tyres are also more likely to puncture and blow out. This is because worn tyres are less resistant to sharp items and are at increased risk of overheating.

Three penalty points per worn tyre

The legal tyre tread depth in the UK (as well as Europe) is 1.6mm.

A worn tyre is an automatic fail on an MOT. If you’re found to be driving with a worn tyre, you could receive a £2,500 fine and three penalty points per tyre. 

Plus, if you’re in an accident and it’s discovered you have worn tyres, your insurer could refuse to pay out.

How to check if you need new tyres

Unless your tyres are really worn, it can be hard to see if they need replacing at a glance. The good news is there a few are different ways to test them.

The easiest way to check for worn tyres? With a 20p piece!

Just take a 20p coin and slot it into the tread grooves of your tyre. If you cannot see the outer band of the coin, your tyres are safe. If you can see the outer band, your tyres potentially need to be replaced.

You can also use a tyre tread gauge that measures the depth of your tyres.

Some tyres have an indicator on the tyre wall so you can see how worn it is.

If you’re not 100% sure if a tyre is worn, a tyre fitting specialist (like Ablefit) will be happy to take a look for you. 

Remember that maintaining your tyres and keeping them in good condition will help them last longer – find out how here.

Need a tyre replacement in Bristol? Call Ablefit

When your tyres are worn, it’s important to replace them as soon as possible.

We stock over 4,000 tyres for cars, vans and 4x4s – all with a lifetime manufacturer guarantee.

No matter what type of tyre you need, you’ll find them here at an affordable price.

Wherever you are in Bristol, we’re here to help. Find out more about our tyre replacement and fitting services and reserve your tyres today.