🛞 What’s the Legal Tyre Tread Depth in the UK?
🛞 What’s the Legal Tyre Tread Depth in the UK?
By Andrews Car Centre – Tyre Safety Experts in Lincoln
Keeping an eye on your tyres isn’t just about performance — it’s about safety and legality. In fact, driving with worn tyres can fail your MOT, reduce grip in wet weather, and even land you with a £2,500 fine per tyre.
So, what’s the legal tyre tread depth in the UK — and how can you check it?
Let’s break it down, and show you how we can help here at Andrews Car Centre in Lincoln.
✅ What’s the Legal Tread Depth?
In the UK, the minimum legal tread depth for car tyres is:
1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre tread, around the entire circumference.
This applies to:
-
Cars
-
Vans
-
Light trailers
If your tread depth falls below this, your tyres are considered illegal, unsafe, and could lead to:
-
MOT failure
-
Penalty points on your licence
-
Fines up to £2,500 per tyre
-
Increased risk of aquaplaning or longer stopping distances
🧠 What’s the Recommended Tread Depth?
While 1.6mm is the legal limit, most experts recommend replacing tyres at 3mm. Below that point, braking distances start to increase significantly — especially on wet roads.
For example:
-
A tyre with 3mm tread can stop up to 8 metres shorter than one with 1.6mm in wet conditions.
If you drive regularly around Lincolnshire's rural roads or in unpredictable weather, this difference could be crucial.
🔍 How to Check Your Tyre Tread at Home
You can check your tyre tread depth in a few simple ways:
1. Use a 20p coin
-
Insert it into the tread grooves
-
If you can see the outer rim of the coin, your tread is below 3mm and may be illegal soon
2. Look for tread wear indicators
-
These small bars run across the tread
-
If they're level with the tread surface, the tyre is at or near 1.6mm
3. Use a tread depth gauge
-
A quick and accurate way to check each tyre properly
🛠️ Free Tyre Checks in Lincoln
If you're unsure about your tread depth, don’t guess — let us check it for free.
At Andrews Car Centre, we offer:
-
✅ Free tread depth measurement
-
✅ Tyre pressure check
-
✅ Sidewall damage inspection
-
✅ Honest advice — no pressure, no upselling
We’ll let you know if your tyres are safe, borderline, or need replacing — and if you do need new ones, we stock a wide range of budget, mid-range, and premium tyres, fitted fast and affordably.
📍 Tyre Safety Matters – We’re Here to Help
Whether you’re commuting in Lincoln, making deliveries across Lincolnshire, or heading out on a road trip, your tyres are the only part of your car that touches the road.
Don’t leave it to chance — stay safe, legal, and confident.
👉 Call us, book online, or pop into Andrews Car Centre on Dixon Street, Lincoln for a free tyre check today.
🔍 Related Searches We Help With:
-
Free tyre inspection Lincoln
-
MOT tyre failure advice