Do Tyre Age and Condition Affect Your MOT Result?

When preparing your vehicle for its annual MOT test, tyres are one of the most important components to check. The MOT isn’t just about whether your tyres are inflated—it’s about their overall condition, tread depth, and even age. If your tyres are worn or damaged, you could fail the MOT, leaving you with repair costs and delays in getting back on the road.

In this guide, we’ll explore how tyre age and condition affect your MOT result and what you can do to avoid common tyre-related failures.

The Legal Tread Depth Requirement

In the UK, the law requires car tyres to have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre’s width and around its entire circumference. Anything less, and it’s an instant MOT fail.

During the MOT, the tester will measure your tread depth with a gauge to ensure it meets the legal requirement. Driving with tyres below this limit is not only unsafe but also punishable by fines and penalty points.

Tyre Age: Why It Matters

While there’s no universal age limit for most car tyres, age can still play a role in your MOT result—especially for certain vehicles. For example, tyres fitted to the front axle of minibuses, coaches, and goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes must be no more than 10 years old.

Even for standard cars, tyre rubber naturally degrades over time. Cracks, hardening, and loss of grip are all signs of ageing tyres, and if the tester deems them unsafe, your vehicle could fail the MOT.

Signs of Tyre Damage That Can Cause an MOT Fail

It’s not just tread depth and age that matter—tyre condition is equally important. The MOT checks for:

• Cuts or bulges in the tyre sidewall
• Exposed cords
• Uneven wear (often caused by poor alignment or suspension issues)
• Objects lodged in the tread such as nails or glass

Any of these issues can compromise the tyre’s safety and lead to an MOT failure.

Seasonal Tyre Considerations

If you use winter or summer tyres, make sure they are in good condition when switching between seasons. While MOT testers don’t require a specific tyre type, they will fail tyres with insufficient tread, cracks, or other damage regardless of season.

How to Check Your Tyres Before an MOT

To avoid tyre-related MOT failures:

1. Check tread depth using a tread depth gauge or the “20p test” (if the rim around the 20p coin is visible, tread is too low).
2. Inspect sidewalls for cracks, bulges, or cuts.
3. Check tyre pressures to avoid uneven wear.
4. Look for embedded objects and remove them safely.

Conclusion

Tyre age and condition play a vital role in passing your MOT. While age limits mainly apply to larger vehicles, even standard car tyres can fail if they’re damaged, worn, or unsafe. By checking your tyres before the test, you can avoid last-minute surprises and ensure your vehicle remains safe and road legal.

For more MOT tips or to check your MOT status instantly, visit checkmot.com.