Replace your tyres when the tread approaches 3mm, when the rubber is cracked or bulging, or when the tyres are more than five years old. You don't have to wait for the legal 1.6mm limit, by then wet braking is already badly compromised. Here are the seven signs to watch for.
1. Low tread depth
Use the 20p test. At or near 1.6mm the tyre is at the legal edge; most fitters recommend changing at 3mm.
2. Cracks in the sidewall
Fine cracking ("crazing") means the rubber is perishing, often with age or sun exposure. It weakens the tyre even if tread looks fine.
3. Bulges or blisters
A bulge is a failed internal structure, usually from a pothole or kerb impact. It's an immediate replacement and is illegal to drive on.
4. Vibration or a pull to one side
Vibration can mean a buckled wheel or balance problem; a pull often signals alignment or uneven wear. Both shorten tyre life.
5. Repeated punctures
If a tyre keeps going down, the structure may be compromised. Sometimes a repair isn't safe and replacement is the right call.
6. Age over five years
Check the DOT date on the sidewall. Rubber degrades over time; many manufacturers advise replacement at 5–10 years regardless of mileage.
7. Uneven wear patterns
Bald shoulders or a worn centre tell you pressures or alignment are off. Fix the cause, then fit fresh tyres so the new ones last.
Spotted any of these? Our mobile tyre fitting service replaces tyres at your home or work across London and Birmingham. Book in two minutes.
