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30 August 2024 How long should car tyres last?
Let’s hit the road to explore the lifespan of tyres, tips for making them last longer, and how to tell when it's time for a pit stop.
How long do tyres last?
While there is no set expiry date, the average tyre lifespan is between 3 to 5 years. The durability of tyres can vary significantly from brand to brand, as well as from driver to driver due to the materials and technology used and the conditions the vehicle is driven and stored in.
For well-known quality Michelin tyres or Continental tyres, you can expect to pay more, but the high price tag typically comes with increased performance and a satisfaction guarantee. However, there are many other brands which offer decent products for every budget.
Certain factors can cause the tyres to wear prematurely. For example, improper wheel alignment can cause the car to pull to one side, putting more strain on one side of the car and therefore uneven wear. Not maintaining the right tyre pressures can also be a killer as it leads to either increased friction or reduced traction and increases the chances of a blowout.
You should also pay attention to the type of tyre you are using. Winter and car summer tyres should be used if the outside temperature does not exceed the limits of the specified operating temperature. Click here for tips on how to extend your tyres’ service life.
Milever All Season Versat MC545
Article number
A
67 dB
£36.49
Price per item
£145.96 / Price per 4 items
price incl. 20% VAT, free delivery
Nankang AW-6
Article number
B
72 dB
£77.49
Price per item
£309.96 / Price per 4 items
price incl. 20% VAT, free delivery
Milever All Season Versat MC545
Article number
B
70 dB
£50.49
Price per item
£201.96 / Price per 4 items
price incl. 20% VAT, free delivery
-46%
Goodyear Efficientgrip Perfor
Article number
A
68 dB
compared to
RRP
£127.20
£67.49
Price per item
£269.96 / Price per 4 items
price incl. 20% VAT, free delivery
Rotalla Setula 4 Season RA03
Article number
B
72 dB
£49.49
Price per item
£197.96 / Price per 4 items
price incl. 20% VAT, free delivery
How many miles do tyres last?
Again, it depends on the tyre, type of vehicle and the driving conditions. Although budget tyres probably won’t last as long as premium ones, they are still expected to last a minimum of 20,000 miles. Cheap tyres are generally manufactured with low-cost materials and technologies.
If you are concerned about whether or not budget-friendly options are safe, make sure to check for compliance with safety standards. For example, you should be able to see an EU tyre label or equivalent in the product description, indicating the tyre’s wet grip and energy rating, etc.
Risk of driving with old or worn tyres
Even if a tyre or vehicle has been in storage for long periods of time, it isn’t recommended to use tyres that are aged 10 years or older. Although the tread may be fine, the rubber itself can deteriorate and old tyres are more prone to cracking and splitting. In fact, for certain vehicles like mini buses and coaches, driving with 10-year-old tyres is illegal.
The legal minimum tyre tread depth in the UK is 1.6 mm across the central tread and tyre’s circumference. Anything below that and you are at serious risk of losing control of the vehicle. This is because overworn tyres provide less traction and therefore increase braking distances and the risk of aquaplaning in wet conditions.
How to tell a tyre’s age
The tyre’s age is indicated by the DOT markings on the sidewall. The four-digit code tells you the date of manufacture: the first two digits are the week it was manufactured and the last two indicate the year.
So, for example 4902 stands for the 49th of 2002. If you don't know when you should buy new tyres for your car, you can enter the details into an online tyre life calculator for a rough estimate. It may ask you for the number of miles driven, tread depth, and age of the vehicle.
How to extend the service life of your tyres
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