Your tyres are the only contact your car has with the road, so it’s crucial that you take care of them.
The legal tyre tread depth in the UK and Europe is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, however, most recommend a minimum tread depth of 3mm for optimal safety.
If your tyres don’t meet this requirement, not only does this pose a safety risk, but you could also receive a fine of £2,500 and three penalty points on your licence.
The quickest and easiest way to make sure your tyres are road-worthy is by conducting your own checks:
- First, consider your tyre pressure.
You should be able to tell if they are flatter than normal simply by taking a closer look – in this case, you will need to get them inflated at a nearby petrol station or garage. - Now onto tread depth.
Take a 20p coin and insert it into the tread grooves on one of your tyres. If you can’t see the outer band on the coin, your tyres are above the legal limit, and you’re good to go. On the other hand, if the band of the coin is still visible, your tyres could be unsafe and you will need to get them inspected by a local garage.
- Complete this step for every tyre.
(It is wise to check your spare tyre at the same time).
NOTE: make sure to check the inner and outer tread of the tyre. You can do this by turning the wheel left to right.
It is recommended that drivers carry out the above test every two weeks or so and before long journeys.
If you’re unsure whether your tyres are safe or not, or if you’re having trouble checking them yourself, it’s always best to pop into your local garage and ask for help, rather than dismissing the risk. The only way to be 100% sure your tyres are safe is to inspect them on a ramp, just in case the inner wall is damaged.
We offer a free tyre health check, where we can identify any problems and explain the work required to repair it and any costs. We can also supply and fit tyres of all sizes and brands on cars and vans.
Call us in Hunstanton on 01485 533786 or King’s Lynn on 10553 763763 to book your free tyre health check. We also offer 4-wheel alignment at our King’s Lynn garage.