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Are You Driving Illegally? Tyre Tread Checks Reveal 1 in 5 Cars May Not Be Roadworthy
It's easy to forget about the state of your tyres. Unless there's a serious issue, they don't pop up warnings on your dashboard, and most people don't inspect them regularly.
But they should be. According to a recent study reported by TyreNews.co.uk, nearly one in five cars on UK roads could be running with illegal or borderline tyre tread.
That's not a minor issue.
Millions of vehicles drive in a condition that could lead to fines, insurance problems, or even a fatal crash. .png "1 in 5 car tyres could be illegal in the UK")
The Numbers Are Alarming
The legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, around the entire circumference. Anything less is considered illegal.
But the report highlights a worrying trend: many motorists drive with tyres below or just barely above this threshold.
The survey involved roadside inspections, tyre centre data, and MOT-related figures.
What stood out wasn't just the number of illegal tyres but how many were very close to being non-compliant. These are the ones that could slip under the radar for a few weeks or months, slowly edging into dangerous territory.
Why Tread Depth Matters More Than You Think
It may be a simple statement, but tyre tread helps your car grip the road.
In dry conditions, it may not seem that crucial. But when it rains, your tyres must channel water away from the contact patch.
If the tread is too shallow, water can build up between the tyre and the road, leading to aquaplaning. That's when you temporarily lose all control because the tyres aren't in contact with the road surface.
Stopping distances are also dramatically affected.
With worn tyres, braking distances increase, especially in the wet.
A car with good tread will stop several metres sooner than one on the limit. That difference could mean the gap between a near-miss and a serious accident in an emergency.
The Cost of Ignoring the Law
Driving with illegal tyres is not just dangerous. It's expensive. You can be fined up to £2,500 per tyre.
That means four bald tyres could set you back £10,000 and 12 penalty points.
In theory, that's enough to lose your licence.
Worse still, if you're involved in a collision and your tyres are found to be under the legal limit, your insurer could refuse to pay out.
In many cases, claims are voided when the car is deemed unroadworthy, leaving you with a financial and legal mess.
Why Drivers Miss the Warning Signs
Most people don't check their tyres. It's that simple.
The average motorist might glance at them occasionally or rely on the MOT.
However, tyre wear can happen unevenly or go unnoticed for months, especially on low-mileage vehicles.
Inner edge wear is particularly sneaky because it's hard to spot without getting down on the ground or removing the wheel entirely.
There's also a perception that modern cars will tell you if there's a problem. While some vehicles have tyre pressure monitoring systems, they don't measure tread depth.
Unless you're doing manual checks or having them looked at during a service, it's easy to get caught out.
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Quick Ways to Check Your Tyres
You don't need to be a mechanic to check your tyres.
The 20p test is a simple trick.
Place a 20p coin into the groove of the tread. If you can see the outer band or the coin, the tread may be too low. Do this across the width and around the full circumference of the tyre.
Also, check for signs of uneven wear, cracks, bulges, or foreign objects lodged in the rubber. If in doubt, most reputable tyre fitters will inspect your tyres for free.
And don't forget the spare. Many people carry one that's long past its use-by date.
Tyre Safety Campaigns and Industry Response
Groups like TyreSafe and the NTDA (National Tyre Distributors Association) have been banging this drum for years.
October is usually National Tyre Safety Month, but these issues are just as urgent in spring and summer.
Some tyre centres are now offering free checks year-round to encourage proactive maintenance.
There's also pressure mounting on government and regulators to crack down harder on illegal tyres.
Some industry experts want better enforcement through MOT updates or roadside spot checks.
Others believe public awareness campaigns could help make tyre checks a normal part of car ownership.
What This Means for You
If 1 in 5 vehicles has borderline or illegal tyres, there's a good chance someone you know is driving around on them.
Or maybe it's you.
The good news is this is entirely avoidable.
Tyres don't wear out overnight. A quick monthly check could save your life or someone else's.
Think of it this way. Your tyres are the only part of your car in contact with the road. Four patches of rubber, each about the size of your hand, are responsible for braking, accelerating, cornering, and staying upright in poor conditions.
They can't do their job correctly if worn, cracked or under-inflated.
You wouldn't ignore your brakes. Don't ignore your tyres, either.
Sources:
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"Tyre tread depth non-compliance on the rise: 1 in 5 UK cars may be illegal on the road." TyreNews.co.uk
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UK Government Highway Code, Rule 27: Tyres and Tread Depth
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National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) Reports