How Often Should You Really Be Checking Your Tyres?
? Introduction: The Overlooked Habit That Could Save Your Life
Tyres are one of those parts of your car you rarely think about until something goes wrong — a slow puncture, a failed MOT, or that worrying vibration at motorway speeds. Yet they’re your vehicle’s only point of contact with the road — just four small patches of rubber, each no bigger than your hand, holding up everything from your car’s weight to your safety.
Despite that, most UK drivers don’t check their tyres regularly enough. According to TyreSafe, nearly 1 in 5 MOT failures in the UK are tyre-related, and around 10 million tyres on UK roads are either underinflated, damaged, or below the legal tread limit.
So, how often should you be checking them — and what exactly should you be looking for?
⚙️ Understanding the Role of Your Tyres
Tyres aren’t just round bits of rubber; they’re precision-engineered safety components. They handle your car’s grip, braking, steering, and fuel efficiency. Modern tyres are made up of multiple layers — tread, sidewall, bead, and carcass — all designed to work in harmony.
When tyre pressure or tread depth drops below safe levels, you’re not just risking a fine — you’re compromising your stopping distance, your handling, and your control in wet conditions.
? How Often Should You Check Your Tyres?
The short answer: at least once every two weeks for pressure and condition, and once a month for tread depth.
But let’s break that down further based on how you drive:
? For Commuters
If you’re driving daily, your tyres experience constant heat cycling and minor air loss. Check the pressure every fortnight and before any long journey. Tyres can lose up to 2 PSI per month naturally, even without a puncture.
??? For Families
Family cars often carry heavier loads — passengers, luggage, pushchairs, pets. That extra weight increases wear, especially if tyres are underinflated. Regular checks help maintain even tread wear and ensure safety during motorway travel.
? For Rural and High-Mileage Drivers
Rural roads and country lanes can hide sharp stones, nails, or potholes. These can cause cuts, bulges, or slow punctures that aren’t immediately visible. Weekly visual inspections make a real difference here.
? For Elderly or Low-Mileage Drivers
If your car spends more time parked than driven, your tyres can still age and harden. Flat spots may form, and rubber can crack over time. Even with minimal use, check them monthly — and replace them if they’re over six years old, regardless of mileage.
? The Legal vs Recommended Tread Depth
UK law requires a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around the full circumference. Anything below this and your car is officially unroadworthy.
However, experts — including Bosch and the RAC — recommend replacing tyres at 3mm, as braking efficiency and water dispersion reduce significantly below this point. At 1.6mm, your car can take an extra car length (8 metres) to stop in the wet at just 50mph.
The 20p Coin Test:
Place a 20p coin into your tyre’s tread groove. If you can see the coin’s outer band, your tread is below 3mm — time to start thinking about replacements.
⚖️ The Pressure Problem: Why Underinflation Is So Dangerous
It’s estimated that over 50% of UK motorists drive with incorrect tyre pressure. That might not sound dramatic, but underinflation causes:
Increased fuel consumption (up to 3% more)
Longer stopping distances
Uneven wear, especially on the outer edges
Greater blowout risk at high speeds
Meanwhile, overinflation reduces grip and comfort and can cause the centre of the tyre to wear prematurely. Always use the pressures shown in your vehicle’s manual or the inside of your fuel flap.
? How to Check Tyre Pressure Properly
Use a reliable digital pressure gauge or visit a petrol station air pump.
Check when tyres are cold (before driving more than a mile).
Inflate or deflate according to manufacturer recommendations.
Don’t forget the spare — if your car has one.
Many modern vehicles now have TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems), but they don’t always detect gradual loss — so manual checks are still essential.
? Spotting the Signs of Tyre Damage
When inspecting your tyres, look out for:
Cracks or splits in the sidewall
Bulges or blisters (often caused by potholes or kerb impact)
Uneven tread wear, which may suggest misalignment or suspension issues
Embedded objects like nails or screws
If you notice any of these, book a check straight away. A professional inspection at Brede Garage can confirm whether it’s safe to continue driving or if a replacement is needed.
? Seasonal Considerations
?️ Autumn & Winter
Colder air means lower pressure, and wet roads make grip crucial. Check more often — ideally weekly — and consider winter or all-season tyres if you’re regularly driving in cold or icy conditions.
? Spring & Summer
Heat causes air expansion, so pressure can rise slightly. Overinflated tyres reduce traction on hot tarmac. After long road trips or heavy loads, check and readjust to normal PSI levels.
? The Mechanic’s Viewpoint: What We See at Brede Garage
At Brede Garage, we regularly see MOT fails caused by neglect — tyres worn smooth on one edge, or pressure so low the dashboard light has been ignored for months.
As a Bosch Car Service Centre, we use professional tread gauges, laser alignment tools, and calibrated digital inflators to ensure accuracy. During every service or MOT, our technicians check your tyre pressure, tread, and condition as standard — it’s part of keeping your vehicle safe and road-legal.
? Common Myths About Tyres — Busted
“If it looks fine, it is fine.”
False. Internal structure damage isn’t always visible — particularly after hitting a kerb or pothole.
“All tyres wear evenly.”
Not true — front tyres wear faster due to steering and braking loads. Rotating tyres at service intervals helps even this out.
“I can rely on the TPMS warning light.”
Only partly true. TPMS detects significant changes but not gradual pressure loss. Manual checks remain vital.
? When to Replace Tyres
Replace your tyres if:
Tread depth is near or below 1.6mm
There are visible bulges, cracks, or cuts
They’re over six years old, regardless of use
You’ve had a puncture repaired more than once in the same area
The car feels unstable, drifts, or vibrates
Remember: replacing just one worn tyre can unbalance traction — aim to replace them in pairs (front or rear).
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✅ Conclusion: A Simple Habit That Saves You Money — and Lives
Checking your tyres isn’t just a tick-box task — it’s a small effort that has a huge payoff. Regular inspections can prevent accidents, improve fuel economy, and extend tyre life.
So next time you’re filling up, take two extra minutes to check your tyres. If you’re unsure, Brede Garage’s team in East Sussex are here to help with pressure checks, replacements, alignments, and MOT-ready inspections.
? Book your tyre check or MOT online at BredeGarage.co.uk/book-online
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