More than 5 million drivers(1) are at risk of up to £10,000 in fines for not regularly checking their tyres, new data reveals.
One in 8 (12%) UK drivers admit to never checking their tyre tread. A further 7% only check them ahead of their MOT, according to new research by the Confused.com car insurance team. This puts many drivers at risk of hefty fines of £2,500 per tyre(2) if caught driving with tyres under the legal limit.
Despite this, only 1 in 5 (22%) UK drivers are likely to check their tyres in the winter. Followed by just 14% checking their tyres during rain or poor weather conditions. With tyre pressure dropping between 0.07 to 0.14 bars when the temperature decreases by 10°C(3), drivers should be extra vigilant in the colder months.
According to the research by Confused.com, more than 1 in 10 (11%) UK drivers admit to knowingly driving with bald or dangerously worn tyres. More than 1 in 4 (26%) have received a fine as a result. If caught with all 4 tyres under the legal limit, this can amount to a £10,000 on the spot fine. This is a significant cost that many would like to avoid!
Accidents and near misses are a risk for drivers if they don’t check their tyres. Over 1 in 10 (13%) of UK drivers have had an accident because of bald or dangerously worn tyres. Two in 10 (20%) have had a near miss because of these conditions. Checking tyres should be a top priority for drivers to avoid putting themselves and others at risk on the road.
You should check your tyre tread regularly, as how long they last can depend on how often you drive. While the legal tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm for cars, it’s recommended that tyres are changed at around 2-3mm for best performance, especially in wet conditions. Typically, 5.5mm of tread can last around 20,000 miles before needing to be replaced(5). If a driver is on the road more frequently, they’ll likely need to get their tyres replaced more often.
Regularly checking tyres not only helps drivers avoid significant fines, but also increases the safety of the car. Low tyre tread can impact the grip of the tyres, which, in some driving conditions, can cause drivers to lose control of their car. And this can ultimately lead to dangerous situations like an accident.
According to the research, 1 in 5 (20%) drivers who’ve knowingly driven with low tread had a near miss, while 13% were involved in an accident. Almost 1 in 5 (18%) also claimed they were unable to drive in wet conditions and a further 1 in 8 (12%) claimed they lost control of the car.
With the dangers worn tyres can pose, cars can fail an MOT if they’re below the legal limit. Similarly, if it’s dangerously low, it can be listed as an advisory. According to the research, almost half (45%) of UK drivers have failed their MOT, or received an advisory due to low or illegal tyre tread.
Although, it’s not surprising so many people have been caught out by having low tyres, given 1 in 3 (33%) are unaware of the legal tread depth for cars. Equally, 1 in 4 (25%) claim they’re not confident in assessing whether their tyres are safe or road legal. One in 2 (52%) say they rely on a visual inspection, with only 24% trying the recommended tyre trick.
This is a quick and easy way for drivers to check if their tyres are safe to drive on:
Place a 20p coin in the main tread grooves
If you can’t see the coin’s outer rim, you’re above the legal limit
If you can see it, your tread might be too low
It’s recommended to try this in 3 spots around the tyre to check it’s consistently safe.
Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at Confused.com car insurance comments, “Checking your tyres should be something you do regularly, especially if you spend a lot of time on the road. Having a tyre tread below the legal limit of 1.6mm can lead to fines of up to £10,000.
“Failure to maintain safe tyres can be incredibly dangerous for both yourself and other road users. A low tyre tread can increase the risk of skidding, especially in slippery conditions, and increase your stopping distance, putting you more at risk of an accident.
“It’s common for people to check their tyres during the winter or when it’s raining, because it can be harder to drive with low tread during these conditions.
“If you’re unsure of how best to check your tyre tread, the 20p tyre trick is quick and easy. Simply place the coin in the main grooves of your tyre. If you can’t see the coin’s outer rim, then you’re above the legal limit. If you can – it’s likely your tread is too low. Confused.com has outlined everything you need to know about how to check tyre tread depth, and how to keep them road safe.
“In short, keeping a 20p coin in your car means you can check as often as needed and not risk the very large fines!”
