How long do car tyres last? When to replace them by age and mileage

Car Maintenance9/29/2026

How Long Do Car Tyres Last? When to Replace Them (UK) | Rooster

Front tyres on a front-wheel-drive car typically last around 20,000 miles, and rear tyres can last up to 40,000 miles, according to the RAC. Age matters as well as mileage: tyres should be inspected by a professional every year once they are five years old, and many experts advise replacing them at around ten years old whatever the tread looks like. Legally, the minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, but most experts recommend replacing tyres at 3mm.

This guide explains how long tyres last by mileage and by age, how to read the date code on a tyre, the signs that a tyre needs replacing, what the UK law says, and how to get more life from your tyres safely.

Last updated 29 September 2026. Mileage, age and legal figures were checked against RAC, AA and Kwik Fit guidance (see the sources at the end).

Key takeaways

Mileage: front tyres on a front-wheel-drive car typically last around 20,000 miles; rear tyres can last up to 40,000 miles.
Age: have tyres inspected every year from five years old, and consider replacing them at around ten years old regardless of tread.
Legal limit: 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread, all the way round. Most experts advise replacing at 3mm.
Penalty: up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre.
Date code: the last four digits after DOT on the sidewall show the week and year the tyre was made.
Damage counts too: bulges, deep cuts, exposed cords and cracked sidewalls mean a tyre needs replacing, however much tread is left.

How long do car tyres last?

Measure	Typical figure
Front tyres, front-wheel-drive car	Around 20,000 miles
Rear tyres, front-wheel-drive car	Up to 40,000 miles
Age: professional inspection	Every year once tyres are five years old
Age: replace as a precaution	Around ten years after manufacture, whatever the tread
Tread depth on a new tyre	Around 8mm
Legal minimum tread depth	1.6mm across the central three-quarters, around the whole tyre
Recommended replacement point	About 3mm

These are general figures. As a worked example, if your front tyres last 20,000 miles and you drive 8,000 miles a year, you will need new fronts in about two and a half years. If you drive 5,000 miles a year, Kwik Fit points out that the same tyres would last around four years. Either way, the age advice below still applies.

What affects how long tyres last?

Tyre pressure: under-inflated tyres wear faster on the edges, and over-inflated tyres wear faster in the centre. See our tyre pressure guide.
Driving style: hard braking, fast cornering and heavy acceleration wear tyres faster.
Wheel alignment: misaligned wheels cause uneven wear. Our wheel alignment vs balancing guide explains the difference.
Front or rear position: on a front-wheel-drive car the front tyres handle steering, braking and power, so they wear faster.
Vehicle weight: heavier cars, including many electric cars, can wear tyres faster.
Road conditions: potholes, kerbs and rough surfaces cause damage and wear.
Tyre quality: premium tyres often last longer and grip better, particularly if you drive at higher speeds or cover a lot of motorway miles.

Do tyres have an expiry date?

There is no official expiry date on a tyre and no legal maximum age for the tyres on a standard car. Rubber does age, though. Heat, sunlight and oxygen dry it out and cause small cracks known as crazing, particularly in the sidewall. That is why a tyre can be unsafe with plenty of tread left, and why low-mileage cars often have old tyres.

The advice you will see varies a little:

The RAC, citing Michelin, advises a professional inspection every year once tyres are five years old, and replacing them ten years after manufacture as a precaution.
The AA recommends replacing tyres around every five years to be safe.
Kwik Fit says there is no definitive age limit, but that once tyres reach seven to ten years old you should watch their condition closely and consider replacing them.
Kwik Fit also gives a general recommendation of every 20,000 miles or every ten years.

A sensible approach is to have tyres inspected annually from five years old, and to replace them at the first sign of ageing damage, or by ten years at the latest. The legal position is different for some larger vehicles: since 1 February 2021, tyres over ten years old have been banned from the front axles of lorries, buses and coaches, and from all wheels on certain minibuses. That rule does not apply to standard cars.

How to check how old your tyres are

Look on the sidewall for the letters DOT followed by a series of letters and numbers.
Find the last four digits. They are often inside a small oval.
Read the first two digits as the week of manufacture, and the last two as the year.
The full DOT code is sometimes only on one sidewall, so you may need to check the inner side of the tyre.

Date code	Made in	Age in September 2026
4718	Week 47 of 2018	Nearly 8 years old
1520	Week 15 of 2020	About 6 and a half years old
3022	Week 30 of 2022	About 4 years old

If a tyre only has a three-digit date code, it was made before 2000 and should be replaced immediately. Check the date code on new tyres too, so that you are not sold tyres that have been in a warehouse for years.

Signs your tyres need replacing

Low tread: the tread is at or near 1.6mm, or the tread wear indicators, small raised bars in the grooves, are level with the tread.
Cracks: fine cracks in the sidewall or between the tread blocks.
Bulges or blisters: these mean the internal structure is damaged, so replace the tyre straight away.
Cuts or exposed cord: any damage that reaches the cords is dangerous.
Uneven wear: one edge or the centre worn more than the rest.
Vibration or pulling: steering wheel or seat vibration, or the car pulling to one side.
Repeated pressure loss: a tyre that keeps going flat may have damage that a repair cannot fix.

How to do the 20p test

Place a 20p coin into the main tread groove.
If you can see the coin’s outer band, the tread may be below the legal limit.
Repeat at several points across the tyre and around its circumference.

The 20p test is a quick check, not a precise measurement, and it does not tell you when to replace at 3mm. A tread depth gauge is cheap and more accurate, and our tyre tread depth test guide explains how to use one. Shallower tread lengthens stopping distances, particularly on wet roads, so do not wait until the legal limit.

What the law says about tyres in the UK

Rule	Detail
Minimum tread depth	1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around its entire circumference
Penalty	A fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre
Four illegal tyres	Up to £10,000 and 12 penalty points, which can mean losing your licence
Damage	Tyres with bulges, deep cuts or exposed cords are not roadworthy
MOT	Tyres below the legal limit, or that are damaged, will fail an MOT
Insurance	You are expected to keep your car roadworthy, and an insurer may question a claim if illegal tyres contributed to an accident

The rules apply to each tyre separately, so a single illegal tyre can lead to a penalty. You are responsible for your tyres all year round, not just at the MOT.

How to make tyres last longer

Check the pressures at least once a month and before long journeys, when the tyres are cold
Look over each tyre for cuts, bulges, nails and cracks at the same time
Have the wheel alignment checked if the car pulls or the tyres wear unevenly
Consider rotating the tyres. The RAC notes some manufacturers recommend rotating every year or 7,500 miles, so check your handbook
Avoid hard braking, fast cornering and hitting kerbs and potholes
Do not overload the car
If a car is parked for long periods, move it occasionally and keep it out of direct sunlight if you can

Our car tyre maintenance tips cover more ways to save money.

Should you replace one tyre, a pair or all four?

Where possible, replace tyres in pairs on the same axle. Mixing different tread depths on one axle can upset handling and braking. Many tyre specialists suggest fitting the newer pair to the rear axle. If you have a four-wheel-drive car, check the handbook, because some models need all four tyres to be closely matched. If you have to replace a single tyre because of damage, ask the fitter for advice.

What to check when buying new tyres

Size, speed and load rating: these are on the sidewall and in the handbook. In a size such as 205/55R16, 205 is the width in millimetres, 55 is the sidewall height as a percentage of the width, R means radial and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches.
Date code: check the four-digit code on the new tyres.
What the price includes: ask whether fitting, balancing, valves and disposal of the old tyres are included.
Budget or premium: the price difference can be large, and how much it is worth paying depends on how much you drive and where.
Winter or all-season tyres: these are not a legal requirement in the UK, but they can be a sensible choice if you regularly drive in snow and ice.

Our guide on where to find cheap tyres and repairs near you can help you compare options.

What about spare tyres?

Spare tyres age too, even if they have never been used, so check the date code on yours. A temporary spare is not designed to last. Kwik Fit advises not driving more than 50 miles on a spare, or faster than 50 miles per hour. Many newer cars have a repair kit instead of a spare, so check what your car has before you need it. If you have to change a wheel, see our guide on how to change a tyre.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I check my tyres?

Check the pressures and look for damage at least once a month and before any long journey. It takes a few minutes and can prevent a blowout.

Can a tyre with plenty of tread still be unsafe?

Yes. Age, sidewall cracking, bulges and internal damage can make a tyre unsafe even when the tread depth looks fine, which is why age and condition matter as well as tread.

Does an MOT check how old my tyres are?

The MOT tests the condition and tread depth of your tyres, not a fixed age limit. A tyre that is cracked, damaged or below the legal tread depth can still fail.

Can I drive on tyres that are over ten years old?

There is no legal age limit for the tyres on a standard car, but tyres that old are much more likely to have hidden deterioration. The RAC, citing Michelin, advises replacing them as a precaution.

Should I replace tyres at 3mm or 1.6mm?

1.6mm is the legal minimum, but most experts recommend replacing at about 3mm, because stopping distances lengthen as tread wears, especially in the wet.

Do electric cars wear tyres faster?

They can. Electric cars are usually heavier and deliver torque instantly, both of which can increase tyre wear. Check the pressures and tread often.

Do tyres need replacing if I barely drive?

Possibly. Low-mileage cars often have plenty of tread but old tyres, and rubber ages with time. Check the date code and have the tyres inspected each year once they are five years old.

How much do new tyres cost?

It depends on the size, brand and where you buy them, and the gap between budget and premium tyres can be large. Ask for a price that includes fitting, balancing and disposal, and compare a few quotes.

Sources and further reading

About this guide: Rooster is a UK car insurance provider. This guide is general information for UK drivers and is not a substitute for your car’s handbook or advice from a qualified tyre fitter. Figures are typical and vary by car, tyre and driving style.

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