Tyres are the only point of contact between your car and the road and we see some at MOT time that are simply not safe.
What to look for:
- Is the tread deeper than 1.6mm (about the same as the ridge around a 20p piece) across at least the central three quarters of the tyre’s width, all the way around?
- Can you see any swollen lumps or damage that means you can see through to the cords below the rubber?
- Is the tyre pressure correct?
If the tread is too low or you see damage, get that tyre changed as soon as you can. It’s potentially dangerous.
Many newer vehicles – but not all – have a tyre pressure warning light. It looks a bit like an upside down horseshoe with an exclamation mark in it. (If you look carefully, you’ll see it’s actually a flat tyre!) If it’s on, your tyres need inflating. The recommended pressure level may be visible on a label inside the fuel cap – if in doubt, check your vehicle handbook.
DISCLAIMER: This is one of our basic tips for helping to keep you safe on the roads between MOT tests. The nature of vehicle wear and tear means we cannot cover every possible situation and tips should not be considered complete and definitive advice. If in doubt, ask a mechanic to check your vehicle.