Its also worth remembering that although its not illegal to have tyres that are 10 years or older, if they have significant cracks in the sidewall, then they are considered to be illegal. Any damage such as cracks or bulges in the sidewall will result in an MOT failure.

How old can car tyres be legally?

There is no legal limit to the age of tyres that can be used on cars, but new legislation will mean tyres over 10 years old will be banned from the being fitted to the front steering axles of goods vehicles more than 3.5 tonnes, buses and coaches and minibuses unless the axle had twin tyres.

Is it illegal to have old tyres?

Car tyres older than ten years old will be illegal on certain vehicles from 1 February 2021 in a major road safety action taken by the Government after “years of work”. The new rules will mean older rubber will be banned for the front steering axles of lorries, buses and coaches in England, Scotland and Wales.

Can old tyres fail an MOT?

Tyres with tread depth lower than 1.6mm is illegal and will result in an MOT fail. Simply place the coin in the tread grooves in three different places on the tyre. If any part of the outer band of the coin is visible, your tyre tread is too low and your tyres need to be replaced.

Do tyres get checked on MOT?

During an MOT test the general condition of your tyres will be examined and any serious cuts, bulges or lumps will most likely cause you to fail. Before your MOT test, and every three weeks, you should check your tyres for any signs of damage.

Is there an age limit on caravan tyres?

Caravan tyres need regular replacement, irrespective of their visual appearance. We recommend that you replace your caravan tyres when they reach five years old and should never be used when more than seven years old. Remember – the tyres age starts from when it was made, not from when it was fitted.

Is it safe to buy 5 year old tires?

Old tires are dangerous, regardless of tread depth. While theres no federally sanctioned safety guidance on when a tire is too old to be safe, many carmakers recommend replacement at six years from the date of manufacture. Old tires have been the culprit in fatal accidents. Buying used tires is a risky move.

Should I replace my 5 year old tires?

We recommend replacing tires aged 6-10 years, no matter how much tread remains. When it comes to replacing tires, things can be a little unpredictable. Mileage, condition and routine maintenance all contribute to the tires safety and usability. You should replace them if you think they may have compromised integrity.

Can I drive my car home after a failed MOT?

If your vehicle has failed its MOT when the certificate is still live: The answer is that you can still drive your vehicle if it fails the test and its existing MOT certificate is still valid (i.e. if your test was before the expiry date) as long as no dangerous problem(s) were listed in the MOT.

What is the law regarding caravan tyres?

The law in relation to caravan tyres simply says that tyres must be capable of carrying the gross load of the caravan and have a tread depth of no less than 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire circumference. You also need to keep an eye on the tyres pressure, too.

Is a 5 year old tire too old?

Some automakers suggest that tires be replaced as soon as they turn six years old. Some tire experts contend that tires can last anywhere from six to ten years if theyre stored and cared for properly. We recommend replacing tires aged 6-10 years, no matter how much tread remains.

Do you get 14 days grace for an MOT?

It is assumed by many people that they have 14 days grace after their MOT test Certificate expires to obtain a renewal - This is not the case. However, the MOT test regulations do make the provision for early testing by up to a calendar month to ease the renwal process.

How long can I drive without MOT?

Is there ever a time I can drive without an MOT? The simple answer is, no, its illegal to drive without an MOT. If your vehicle is more than three years old, you cant drive without an MOT unless you are driving to a pre-booked test at an authorised test centre.