13 December 2024
How long do car tyres last?
6 minutes
A good set of tyres can significantly improve your car’s safety, performance, handling, and ride quality. But how long do car tyres last, and how can you tell when you need to replace them?
Here, we’ll explain what affects the lifespan of tyres, how their age impacts their durability, and how often you need to replace them. We’ll also discuss whether you should buy a set of new or part-worn tyres and how you can ensure your tyres last as long as possible.
Let’s dive in.
How long should tyres last on average?
Car tyres should last about 20,000 miles or 10 years after being manufactured. After five years, most tyre manufacturers and vehicle safety groups recommend you replace the tyres outright, or at the very least, get them inspected and serviced by a professional.
If you’re still using the same set of tyres 10 years after their manufacturing year, you should replace them with new ones as a safety precaution. The rubber quality at that age can affect the tyres’ performance and safety.
How do I check the age of my tyres?
To check when a tyre was manufactured, follow these simple steps:
- Look at your tyre’s sidewall and find the letters “DOT”
- Locate the four-digit number beside the DOT
- The first two digits indicate the week of manufacture
- The last two digits indicate the year of manufacture
For example, if your tyre has “0422” beside DOT, it was manufactured in the fourth week of 2022 — so at the end of January.
However, keep an eye out for tyres with only three digits beside DOT. Having only three digits instead of four means the tyre was manufactured before 2000 and must be replaced immediately.
You should also replace the tyre straight away if the code is no longer legible on its sidewall. This usually means the tyre has been exposed to severe conditions, compromising its safety.
What affects a tyre’s lifespan?
How many miles do tyres last? The answer to that question is, it depends.
Even though tyres can last for several years, different factors affect this lifespan:
- Driving style: Your driving style will significantly affect your tyres’ lifespan. For example, your tyres will wear out quicker if you’re constantly slamming your brakes on busy roads or taking corners more aggressively than you should.
- Driving speed: High-speed driving exposes tyres to high temperatures because of friction. If you drive on the motorway a lot, your tyres will have a shorter lifespan due to the heat.
- Maintenance: Proper maintenance can help prolong the lifespan of your tyres. Proper tyre rotation, balancing, and alignment are all essential services to help keep them performing well. Even something as simple as keeping the correct tyre pressure will help them last longer.
- Tyre position: How quickly your tyres wear out depends on whether they’re placed in the front or rear of your car. That’s because driven wheels receive more burden from the vehicle when you’re driving. So a rear-wheel-drive car will have its rear wheels wear out quicker than its front wheels.
- Vehicle weight: Cars that carry heavier loads than usual put more strain on the tyres. If you always have extra stuff in your car, that extra weight can cause your tyres to wear out quicker.
- Road conditions: Tyres exposed to rougher conditions and terrain don’t last as long as ones primarily driven on smooth roads. Your tyres also have a higher risk of getting damaged, punctured, or having an object embedded in them.
- Tyre quality: Tyres are sold in different price ranges (budget, mid-range, and premium), and they’re suitable for various uses. There are also climate-specific tyres, such as summer or winter tyres. Using the wrong tyre for the wrong occasion can affect your tyres’ durability and your vehicle’s handling.
Does tyre age affect how long it lasts?
Tyres are made of various rubber compounds and steel, all working together to help keep your car going. As tyres age, these materials weaken and deteriorate. How quickly they deteriorate depends on how you’ve used them over the years.
Once a tyre reaches its fifth year, a general recommendation is to have a specialist inspect it yearly. By the 10th year, you should get a new set of tyres to keep your car running safely and smoothly.
What if my tyres are 10 years old?
If your tyres are 10 years or older, you should get them replaced as soon as possible. The chemical and physical bonds on the tyres’ structure are no longer as strong as they used to be. As a result, the tyres could start to crack.
How often should car tyres be replaced?
As we mentioned above, a good rule of thumb is to replace your car tyres every 20,000 miles or around 10 years after its manufacturing date. However, you may also hear recommendations of replacing them every five years instead of 10.
Despite these recommendations, you shouldn’t hesitate to get your tyres replaced sooner (or inspected, at the very least) whenever you notice the following:
- When the treads go below 3mm but before it goes below 2mm (the legal limit for tread depth, as set by The Highway Code, is 1.6mm)
- Cracks on the tyre’s sidewall, especially if it’s frequently parked outside
- Air pressure decreases too frequently, even after re-inflating
- Your wheels feel wobbly whenever you reach high speeds
- Signs of wear on spots that usually don’t touch the road
- Your tyre develops a bubble
The best way to spot early signs of deterioration is to have a professional inspect your tyres regularly. Not only can they give advice on when to replace a potentially problematic tyre, but they can also recommend and perform essential services to prolong your tyres’ life.
Should I buy new or part-worn tyres?
Buying a new tyre (instead of part-worn) is always the best choice because you know the exact condition of the tyre you’re purchasing. Because it’s new, you have complete control over how the tyre is used or looked after.
However, buying a new tyre may not always be possible with a limited budget. This is when part-worn tyres come in handy; for less than the price of a new one, you can get a tyre with plenty of use still in it.
Things to look for when buying part-worn tyres
Even though it’s safe to buy part-worn tyres for your car, you still need to make sure:
- The tyre’s original grooves are still perfectly visible, and the treads aren’t less than 2mm
- There are no cuts anywhere on the tyre that are longer than 25mm or deep enough to reach the cord (the cord is the supporting fabric underneath the rubber — it’s usually made of steel, but some tyres use nylon, polyester, or other synthetic materials)
- There are no lumps or bubbles anywhere
- None of the tyre cord is visible anywhere on its surface
- The tyre passed an inflation test
Are 5-year-old tyres ok?
Ideally, any part-worn tyre you buy should be under five years old. You want to make sure the tyre is still structurally sound and hasn’t been used as much yet. The older the tyre, the more you have to worry about how it was previously used and its remaining durability.
If you really must buy a five-year-old tyre, make sure you inspect every aspect of its condition closely. That means checking the grooves for any signs of wear, measuring the treads to ensure it’s over 2mm, and making sure there aren’t any bubbles.
Tips to help your tyres last longer
Here are some common tips to help ensure you get the most out of your tyres:
- Regularly check the air pressure and inflate your tyres according to your car maker’s recommendations. You can find this information in your car's manual.
- Measure your tyres’ treads occasionally, especially if you drive a lot. You can measure it with a tyre tread gauge (if you have one) or use a 20-pence coin.
- The inner and outer rings of the coin are about 2mm away from each other. Place the coin upright on the grooves of your tyre; if you can’t see the coin’s outer ring, your tyre is still safe to use.
- Try to drive smoothly to avoid wearing down your tyres quickly. This includes gentle cornering and not slamming on your brakes frequently.
- Have a tyre specialist rotate your tyres every year or 7,500 miles, whichever comes first. Rotation ensures each tyre gets even wear and tear.
- Ask a tyre specialist to ensure your tyres are properly balanced.
Quickfire summary
The average life of tyres is 20,000 miles or 10 years after manufacturing, but some may need to be replaced sooner. How soon you need to replace them depends on factors such as your driving style, road conditions, and general maintenance habits.
Some manufacturers suggest replacing your tyres once they reach the five-year mark. If you decide not to replace them at that point, you should have a tyre specialist inspect them regularly. But if you notice uneven wear, a bubble, or other damage to your tyre, you must replace it immediately — even if it’s not yet five years old.
Even if your tyres still look fine after 10 years, it’s best to get them replaced anyway. The tyre’s physical and chemical structure has diminished since then, and they may not be as safe on the road anymore.
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