Overview

• Number1Plates urges drivers to use a 50p coin to check tyre tread before the annual MOT required for cars over three years old.
• Method: insert a 50p coin into the main tyre grooves; if the tread does not reach the coin’s inner rim, it is below 1.6mm.
• UK law sets a 1.6mm minimum across the central three-quarters of the tyre, with worn tyres risking MOT failure, police fines or points, and poorer wet-road braking.
• MOT failures linked to worn tyres typically cost about £45–£100, depending on the garage and any repairs needed.
• Recommended upkeep includes inspecting all four tyres for damage, checking pressures monthly, rotating for even wear, and considering replacement for tyres older than six years.