How to Check Tyre Wear and When to Replace Your Tyres | Mobile Tyre Fitting Guide

Why Tyre Maintenance Matters: Signs of Tyre Wear and When to Replace Your Tyres

Many drivers overlook their tyres, but they’re actually one of the most important parts of your vehicle. Your tyres are the only point of contact between your car and the road, which means tyre safety and maintenance are crucial for safe driving.

In this post, we’ll explain how to spot tyre wear, why it happens, and when you should replace your tyres—plus tips from a mobile tyre fitting expert.

What Causes Tyres to Wear Out?

Tyres don’t just wear down over time—they wear in specific patterns that can tell you what’s going wrong. Here are the most common causes of tyre wear:

1. Uneven Tyre Wear from Wheel Alignment Problems

One of the most common issues we see is uneven tyre wear. If your car's wheel alignment (also called tracking) is off, the tyres may wear down faster on the inner or outer edge. This kind of wear is dangerous because the damage may not be visible at a glance—especially if you only check the outside of the tyre.

2. Incorrect Tyre Pressure

Tyre pressure plays a huge role in how your tyres wear out:

• Under-inflated tyres cause excessive wear across the entire tread and can reduce your tyre’s lifespan by half.

• Over-inflated tyres wear out faster in the centre of the tread, reducing road grip and traction.

Tip: Always check your tyre pressure regularly using your car’s recommended PSI (found in the owner’s manual or door frame).

3. Low Tread Depth Increases the Risk of Punctures

Tyres with less than 3mm tread depth are much more likely to pick up nails, screws, and debris—leading to more punctures, flats, and costly repairs. A new tyre with 8–10mm tread is far more resistant to damage.

When Should You Replace Your Tyres?

While the UK legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, most tyre safety experts recommend replacing your tyres at 3mm. Here’s why:

• Tyres below 3mm lose grip, especially in wet conditions

• Braking distances increase significantly at 2mm or less

• Low tread depth increases the risk of hydroplaning and skidding

As a trusted mobile tyre fitting service, we always recommend prioritising your safety over legal limits.

How to Check Your Tyres at Home

Here’s a simple checklist to help you avoid tyre trouble:

• ✅ Look for uneven wear (especially inside edges)

• ✅ Check tread depth with a 20p coin

• ✅ Watch for nails, screws, or sharp debris

• ✅ Inspect for sidewall cracks, bulges, or damage

Regular checks can save you from emergency breakdowns, blowouts, and hours waiting for roadside recovery.

Need a Tyre Change at Home or Work? We’ll Come to You.

At Mobile Tyre Xpress , we provide convenient mobile tyre fitting services across Essex. Whether you're at home, work, or stuck on the roadside, we bring the tools and tyres to you—saving you time, stress, and money.

Book a mobile tyre fitting today or contact us for a free tyre safety check. Stay safe. Stay mobile.