Ensuring your tyres are roadworthy is important all year round, but it is particularly crucial as we head into colder months.
The issue was highlighted last week by tyre safety organisation TyreSafe, which discovered after a freedom of information request that 2.2 million cars failed their MoTs in 2013 due to illegal or unsafe tyres.
“It beggars belief that so many motorists can fail their MoT because of unsafe or illegal tyres,” said TyreSafe's chairman, Stuart Jackson.
“Your safety on the road is totally dependent upon the condition of your tyres," he continued, "so it’s vital that you check these regularly throughout the year, let alone just before you take your MoT.
“Furthermore, they are also one of the easiest items on your car to check, so there really is no excuse for this amount of tyre related failures.”
As many of our breakdown repair insurance customers will know, tyres that are in poor condition can make it more difficult to control a car in wet or icy conditions. Longer stopping distances and a higher risk of aquaplaning are among the hazards presented by worn tyres.
The arrival of the tail end of Hurricane Gonzalo this week (which is likely to be downgraded to a post tropical storm) is forecast to bring with it heavy rain – highlighting how important it is to ensure tyres are in good condition this time of year.
The UK legal minimum width of the tread depth on your tyres is 1.6mm, in the central ¾ and full circumference of the tyre.
Not adhering to this law could attract 3 penalty points and up to £2,500 in fines – for each failed tyre.
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