Tyres are one of the most common reasons a car fails its MOT - and almost all of it is avoidable with a two-minute check. Here's exactly what the tester looks at.
The tester measures tread across the central three-quarters of each tyre and around its circumference. Below the 1.6mm legal minimum anywhere in that band is a fail. The quickest home check is the 20p test.
Cuts, bulges, lumps or cords showing through will fail the tyre - and they're dangerous. So will a tyre that's been badly repaired or is fouling part of the car.
Your tyres must be the right size and load/speed rating for the car, and you can't mix radial and cross-ply tyres on the same axle. It's best to match tyres across an axle for even handling (see our UK tyre law guide).
Since 2015, if your tyre pressure monitoring system warning light is on at the MOT, it's an automatic fail - so don't ignore that little horseshoe symbol before test day.
The spare tyre isn't part of the MOT, but it's still worth keeping legal and inflated in case you need it.
“Tyres are one of the most common MOT fails, and nearly all of it is avoidable. Two minutes with a 20p and a look for that dashboard light saves you a re-test - and if you're borderline, we'll come and sort it before test day.”
Tread below 1.6mm, dangerous cuts/bulges/exposed cords, the wrong size or type, mismatched tyre types on an axle, and an illuminated TPMS warning light.
1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, around its entire circumference.
Yes - since 2015 an illuminated or faulty TPMS is an automatic fail for cars first used from January 2012.
No - the spare isn't tested, but it's wise to keep it legal and inflated.
Yes - we'll come to you and sort any borderline tyres before test day, so you avoid a fail and a re-test.
Call now for a fast, no-obligation quote - or drop your details in and we'll come back to you.
07772 078 648We'll call you back as soon as we can. For anything urgent, call 07772 078 648.