Rolling the Dice on Tyre Safety
The UK faces a tyre safety crisis, with two in five (40%) of vehicles on the road today running on tyres that are either outright illegal or dangerously close to the limit.
That’s the stark warning from the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) as it publishes its TyreCheck 2025 report – the largest study of its kind ever undertaken in the UK.
The investigation of more than 58,000 vehicles across 141 locations found that 8% were fitted with illegal tyres below the 1.6mm legal minimum. A further 32% were on “barely legal” tyres – technically compliant but offering severely reduced grip and safety margins, especially in wet conditions. The NTDA warns this trend shows motorists are delaying replacement until the last possible moment, putting themselves and others at serious risk.
• 8% of UK vehicles are running on illegal tyres below the 1.6mm legal minimum – a level that makes stopping safely in wet conditions almost impossible
• 32% of vehicles are on “barely legal” tyres (1.6–2.0mm tread), technically legal but dangerously unsafe
• Two in every five vehicles on UK roads today pose a serious safety risk to drivers, passengers, and other road users
Ian Andrew, CEO of the NTDA, says: “This report should serve as a wake-up call for every motorist in the UK. The fact that nearly two in five vehicles are running on tyres that are either illegal or dangerously close to it is shocking. The tragedy is that this isn’t just a technical issue – it’s about lives at risk every single day on our roads. Legal doesn’t always mean safe and drivers are leaving tyre replacement far too late. We urgently need to move beyond minimum standards and make tyre safety a national priority.”
The NTDA is calling for urgent action, including raising the legal minimum tread depth from 1.6mm to 2.0mm, targeted interventions in high-risk hotspots and greater financial support for motorists struggling with replacement costs.
With stopping distances doubling in wet conditions on tyres worn below 2mm, and fines of up to GBP2,500 per tyre and three penalty points for those caught driving illegally, the message to drivers is clear: delaying replacement is gambling not just with your wallet, but with lives.
So what can we do about it?
Tyre Health: What Every Driver Should Know
Checking your tyres is quick and easy and could save your life. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, but safety experts recommend replacing tyres once they wear below 3mm. A simple way to check is the 20p test: insert a 20p coin into the tread grooves. If you can see the coin’s outer band, your tread may be too low and it’s time to replace.
Drivers should also regularly check tyre pressure and look for cuts, bulges or uneven wear. Healthy tyres mean better grip, shorter stopping distances, improved fuel economy, and most importantly, safer journeys for everyone.