Tyre tread depth is one of the most important — and most overlooked — aspects of vehicle safety. The grooves in your tyre tread channel water away from the contact patch, maintaining grip in wet conditions. As tread wears down, wet-weather performance deteriorates rapidly.
In the UK, the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm. Driving on tyres below this limit carries a £2,500 fine and three penalty points per tyre. Checking your tread regularly takes moments and could save you from serious consequences.
The 20p Coin Test
Insert a 20p coin into the main tread groove of your tyre. If the outer border of the coin is completely hidden, your tread is above 3mm and in a legal, safe condition. If you can see the outer border, your tread is getting low and should be checked professionally.
Repeat this test in multiple locations across the tyre — tread does not always wear evenly, and a tyre may be dangerously worn in one area while appearing acceptable elsewhere.
Tread Wear Indicators
Most modern tyres include moulded tread wear indicators — small raised bars running across the tread grooves at 1.6mm height. When the tread is level with these bars, the tyre has reached the legal limit and must be replaced immediately.
Look out for these indicators when checking your tyres. At Glasgow Mobile Tyre Fitters, our technicians check tread depth at every visit and will alert you to any concerns at no extra charge.
Getting New Tyres Fitted in Glasgow
If your tyre tread is approaching the legal limit, do not delay. Wet braking performance at 3mm is significantly better than at 1.6mm, and replacing tyres before they reach the minimum threshold is strongly recommended.
Glasgow Mobile Tyre Fitters can supply and fit new tyres at your home or workplace on the same day in most cases. Call us to check availability and stock for your tyre size.
Glasgow Mobile Tyre Fitters provide fast, professional mobile tyre fitting across all Glasgow postcodes. Call us or book online — same-day service available.