Your carโs tyreโs are the only part of the vehicle that makes any contact with the road surface and they play a critical role in the handling (such as the steering and braking) and safety of the entire vehicle. Therefore
itโs essential that you know how to check your tyreโs for any defects, general wear and tear, and how you check your tyre tread. Follow our guide below to make sure that you understand the legal requirements about your tyreโs and tread depth.
โข The minimum depth of tread on your tyreโs is 1.6 millimeters, across the central ยพ which is 75% of the
tread around the complete circumference of the tyre.
โข If your tread depth is between 1.6 and 3mm then it is time to start thinking about ordering a new set of wheels for your ride!
โข For safety reasons it is recommended that you replace your tyreโs before the legal limit is reached.
The 20p Test
โข You can use a 20p coin to check that your tyre tread meets the legal limit.
โข Insert a 20p coin into the lowest tread depth of your tyres. If you canโt see the outer rim around the edge of the coin, then your tyre is safe and has a minimum of 3mm tread depth.
โข If you can see the rim then your tyre tread is less than 3mm and should be checked by a professional.
Important to Remember
Tyre Treads below the minimum requirement is a common MOT fail!
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