Will My Tyres Pass an MOT Test?
Every year, millions of cars fail their MOT test due to
unsafe or illegal tyres. However, if you are asking the question, “Will my
tyres pass an MOT test?” it is highly unlikely that you will be one of them.
Catching your unsafe or damaged tyres before your MOT test
not only saves you time and money, but it also increased the safety of your
vehicle, especially in the winter months when the road conditions can be so
unpredictable.
If you are unsure whether your tyres will pass your car’s
next MOT, keep reading – we have all the information you need to determine what
to do next.
Tread Depth
According to the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency, the
tyre tread depth is one of the top 3 reasons for MOT test fails in the UK.
Why is tread depth
important? Although they may seem insignificant, those little grooves in
your tyres play an essential role in your safety while driving. The tread depth
and pattern allows the tyre to grip the road and remove the water between the
road and the tyre. Stopping distances are affected considerably if your tread
is below the legal requirements, and you also have a greater risk of
aquaplaning.
How do I Check Tread
depth? In order to pass your MOT, your tyres’ tread depth should be 1.6 mm
(although anything below 3mm is starting to get dangerous). You can use a 20p
coin to check this – simply rest the coin in the groove of the tyre, and if the
groove covers the outer rim of the coin, the tread is probably safe. However,
if you are in any doubt it is best to check with your local servicing centre.
What about spare
tyres? The spare tyre is not tested during the MOT. However, if you were
ever to need the spare, it would be breaking the law once the tyre was in use.
So if your spare does not meet the legal requirements, it is something to think
about replacing just to be safe.
Correctly Matched
Tyres
The size, structure and type of your tyres are all taken
into consideration during your MOT. If they are not correctly matched, this
imbalance could cause an MOT test failure. This includes the tyre pressure, so
before you drive to the MOT test centre it would be useful to double check the
required tyre pressure for your vehicle and top up the tyres if necessary.
General Condition
Finally, your car could fail its MOT if your tyres are
significantly damaged. Any noticeable cuts or bulges should be addressed –
anything that doesn’t look quite right. The condition of the valve will also be
examined, so make sure you check that each valve is working correctly and that
there are no missing valve caps.
If you have examined the tread depth, size and general
condition of your tyres and have found no visible fault, you can be confident
that they will pass an MOT; however, you cannot be certain. If the tyres are a
few years old, or they have had a lot of wear you might want to have them
checked before your MOT. Here at Express Service, we can help! If you are
worried that your tyres might not pass an MOT, get in touch with our friendly
team.
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Published: 14/03/2016
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