How to avoid MOT tyre failures
1st October 2022Did you know tyres are one of the most common reasons people fail their MOT each year? Don't let this be you - in our helpful guide, we will be discussing the best ways you can avoid your tyres from failing your MOT.
What causes tyres to fail their MOT?
There are various reasons why your tyre might fail your MOT - even the smaller issues, such as tyre pressure, can result in a failure. Most common reasons include:
- Lumps in the tyre
- Bulges in tyre
- Visible signs of ply and cord
- Tyre tread
- Tyre pressure
You can read more about reasons for tyre failure in our helpful blog.
Are Your Tyres Right For Your Vehicle?
It is vital that you fit the correct tyres for your vehicle. Not only will incorrect tyres cause MOT tyre failure, but they also pose significant dangers for motorists.
If you have recently suffered tyre damage and changed your tyre to a space-saver tyre, you have it replaced before your MOT test. Space-saver, or lightweight tyres, are designed to get you safely to a tyre specialist following damage and are not intended for prolonged use. If you have fitted a space-saver tyre recently, you must have it replaced as soon as possible.
Tyres that are the wrong size for your vehicle will also result in an MOT fail. The correct tyre size for your vehicle will be specified in the vehicle handbook and you should ensure that the tyres you use match this specification. Check this quickly by comparing the size of your tyre printed on your sidewall to the size in your handbook. Alternatively, you can visit your local Tyre Group branch where our tyre specialists will be able to check for you.
Check Your Tread
Tyre tread is one of the most common MOT tyre failure reasons - so it's important to understand the legal limit. Worn tyres are extremely dangerous on the road as they are less effective in wet conditions and will result in longer braking distances on wet and dry roads. For this reason The Tyre Group would recommend replacing your tyres when tread drops below 3mm.
The legal limit for tyre tread is 1.6mm; if your tyre tread is lower than this point you will fail your MOT test. In addition, if you are caught driving on tyres treads lower than 1.6mm you could face a fine of £2,500 per tyre!
Check your tyre tread before your MOT test to ensure that you have sufficient tread and make sure that you replace your tyres if not.
Can you fail MOT on tyre pressure?
Checking your tyre pressure is easy and should be undertaken every three weeks. Under inflated tyres have an uneven contact patch, so your gripping capabilities are significantly affected. And if your vehicle is found to have a faulty or failed tyre pressure monitoring system, this will cause you to fail your MOT.
Visit a local garage or service station to check that your tyre pressures meet manufacturer specifications.
Inspect Your Tyres for Damage
The condition of your tyres will be checked during the MOT test so it is important that you are confident there are no signs of damage as that is another MOT tyre failure reason. Damage to the tyre could indicate that the tyre's internal structure is compromised. So it is highly dangerous to continue to drive on tyres that do exhibit any signs of cuts, tears, lumps, bulges or cracking.
Visually inspect your tyres and ensure that you make an appointment with a tyre specialist if you notice any signs of concern. Please familiarise yourself with warning signs to be aware of with our helpful tyre condition guide.
If you have any concerns that your tyres are unsafe or will cause your vehicle to fail its MOT test, you should replace them as soon as possible. Ensure you conduct MOT tyre checks before your test - as this could prevent an overall fail by simple checks! Make an appointment with a tyre specialist for further guidance on tyre safety today.
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