MOTs and Tyre Safety: What Drivers Need to Know
When it comes to MOT tests, one of the most common reasons for failure are tyres. In fact, tyre safety accounts for a significant percentage of MOT failures every year!Whether it’s insufficient tread depth or visible damage, neglecting your tyres can lead to a failed MOT – and more importantly, compromise your safety on the road.
So, here’s everything you need to know about tyre safety and the MOT test, including how to check your tyres at home, and when it’s time to replace your tyres.
Why tyres matter in MOT tests
The MOT test only exists to make sure your vehicle is roadworthy and safe to drive.
Tyres are a critical part of this, because they are the only part of your car that makes direct contact with the road. Faulty or worn tyres can lead to poor handling, longer stopping distances, and even blowouts – putting you and other road users at serious risk.
During an MOT test, we’ll check your tyres for:
Tread depth
The legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters
of the tyre.
If any of your tyres fall below this limit, your vehicle will fail its MOT. Many safety experts recommend replacing tyres when the tread depth reaches 3mm, for better grip and performance, especially in the wet.
Tyre damage and wear
We look for any visible damage – cuts, cracks, bulges, or punctures – because these can
increase the risk of a blowout. Trust us when we say this; blowouts are bad news, especially at high speeds! They can cause total loss of control and major collisions.
Tyre size and type
All tyres on the same axle must be the same size and type. Mixing different tyre types can affect your vehicle’s handling, and lead to an MOT failure.
Tyre valve condition
Damaged or worn valve stems can cause air leaks, or lead to blowouts. The MOT test
includes a check of the valve condition for this reason.
How to check your tyres at home
Regularly inspecting your tyres can help you avoid MOT failures – and stay safe on the road.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to checking your tyres at home.
1. Check the tread depth
Use a tread depth gauge to measure the depth of the grooves in your tyres. If you don’t have a gauge, you can use the 20p test:
● Insert a 20p coin into the tread groove
● If the outer band of the coin is visible, your tread depth is likely below the legal limit,
and it’s time to replace the tyre!
2. Inspect for damage
Look for any signs of damage:
● Cuts or cracks in the sidewall
● Bulges or blisters, which indicate internal damage
● Nails or glass in the tyre
If you spot any of these issues, get your tyres inspected by a professional as soon as
possible.
3. Check tyre pressure
Tyre pressure isn’t checked as part of the MOT – but uneven wear is. Under inflated tyres can wear less evenly, and not just from tyre to tyre around the car. Use a reliable tyre pressure gauge to check the pressure before driving. Refer to your
vehicle’s manual (or the sticker inside the driver’s door or fuel cap hatch) for the
recommended pressure levels. Don’t forget to check the spare tyre as well (if you’re lucky
enough to have one these days!).
4. Look for uneven wear
Uneven wear patterns aren’t just an inflation issue – they can indicate alignment or
suspension problems, too.
Common types of uneven wear include:
● Centre wear, caused by overinflation
● Edge wear, caused by underinflation
● Cupping or “scalloping”, often a suspension or alignment issue
If you notice uneven wear, have your vehicle inspected by a mechanic ASAP.
When to replace your tyres
If any single one of the following applies to your tyres, it’s time to replace them:
1. Tread depth below 1.6mm
2. Visible damage
3. Tyre is over 10 years old
4. Frequent loss of tyre pressure
5. Poor performance in wet conditions
Maintaining your tyres – top tips
1. To extend the life of your tyres and avoid MOT failures, you could try regularly
rotating your tyres to different wheels (every 6,000-8,000 miles) to ensure even wear.
It’s a lot of work, though, and some tyres are front/rear specific, or have a distinct
rolling direction.
2. Misaligned wheels can cause uneven wear and affect handling – so have your
alignment checked at your next service to avoid replacing tyres so often.
3. Filling your car for a camping trip? Moving house with everything you can possibly fit
in the boot (and the back seat)? Overloading puts extra strain on your tyres, leading
to increased wear and tear. This can be avoided with proper inflation, within
operating limits, for heavy loads.
4. Drive smoothly. Aggressive driving, hard braking, and fast cornering will only
accelerate your tyre wear!
If you’re not sure about the condition of your tyres or need advice on replacements, talk to a mechanic. Your tyres are the only thing between you and the road – so it pays to keep them in top shape!
Book your MOT now
Book your MOT test in Boyatt Wood today, with We Only Do MOTs. We promise to provide an impartial, independent MOT to everyone – and will carry out most minor repairs for free.
Send your message to enquiries@onlydomots.co.uk or call us on 023 8064 7180
