Inspection Check
Tread depth
UK legal minimum is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread, around the whole circumference, on all four tyres.
Below 1.6mm is a Dangerous defect at MOT and a £2,500 fine and three penalty points per tyre on the road. Wet braking performance falls off sharply below about 3mm; many manufacturers recommend replacement at that level.
Wear-indicator bars moulded into the grooves sit at 1.6mm — when the tread is level with the bar, the tyre is at the legal limit.