Legal tyre tread depth in the UK

The 1.6 mm rule covers cars, light vans and light trailers. A tyre below the limit can bring a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points, and that is for each illegal tyre.

There are three ways to check:

• Wear bars: small raised bars sit across the bottom of the main grooves. When the tread is level with them, the tyre is at the legal limit.
• The 20p test: stand a 20p coin in a main groove. If you can see the coin's outer band, the tread is getting low and should be measured.
• A tread depth gauge: a few pounds from a motor shop, and the only way to get an exact figure.

Check in several places around each tyre, and across its width. Tyres often wear unevenly.

Grip in the wet falls away well before 1.6 mm, and stopping distances grow as the tread wears. Many tyre makers and motoring organisations recommend replacing tyres at about 3 mm.

You do not have to drive on worn tyres to a garage to have them changed. We come to the car and fit the new ones where it is parked.

We fit and repair tyres at the car, at home, at work or at the roadside, usually within 30 to 45 minutes of the call. You hear the price first. Call 07861 958044, any hour.