Table of Contents
28 February 2025 Tyre DOT code and age explained: meaning, code chart, and expiry date
Your car’s tyres are the only point of contact with the road, making them essential for safety, performance, and fuel efficiency. Over time, tyres wear out or crack due to factors like heat, UV exposure, and frequent use, which reduces the grip and increases the risk of blowouts.
Understanding the DOT code helps determine a tyre’s age, ensuring they’re replaced before they become unstable. Regularly checking and replacing old tyres can prevent accidents and maintain performance, keeping you safe on the road.
Do tyres have an expiry date?
While there is no specific expiration date or age limit for tyres, it is generally recommended to change them before they reach 7 years old to maintain the car’s driving performance and avoid preventable accidents or blowouts.
Regardless of the frequency of use, once tyres reach a certain age, they are more susceptible to wear and cracking (caused by UV exposure), particularly if they are not stored properly. The rubber can become brittle and degrade more rapidly. This is why it is good to keep an eye on the tyres’ age, particularly if you’ve bought a used vehicle.
Recommended Article
Car tyre speed rating: table, meaning, and differences
How to check the tyre age: DOT code explained
The DOT code is a four-digit code on the sidewall, indicating when the tyre was actually manufactured. The first two digits indicate the week of manufacture while the last two numbers indicate the year of manufacture. For example, if the code is 1023, it means that it was produced in the 10th week of the year 2023. If you can’t see the date stamp/code, it may be visible on the other side of the tyre.
Tyre code chart
The following table demonstrates the age of tyres based on their DOT codes.
|
Age code example |
Date of manufacture |
Age in 2025 (not based on month) |
|
1324 |
13th week of 2024 |
1 year |
|
0120 |
1st week of 2020 |
5 years |
|
4718 |
47th week of 2018 |
7 years |
|
3317 |
33rd week of 2017 |
8 years |
|
1015 |
10th week of 2015 |
10 years |
|
2504 |
25th week of 2004 |
21 years |
Before the 2000s, DOT codes used a three-digit format, where the first two digits represented the week of manufacture, and the last digit represented the year within the decade (but not the exact decade itself), e.g. “489” - the 48th week of 1989 or 1999.
Sold by AUTODOC Sold by AUTODOC Sold by AUTODOC Sold by AUTODOC Sold by AUTODOC
Rotalla Setula 4 Season RA03
Article number
B
72 dB
£42.99
Price per item
£171.96 / Price per 4 items
price incl. 20% VAT, free delivery
Minerva AS Master
Article number
B
72 dB
£86.99
Price per item
£347.96 / Price per 4 items
price incl. 20% VAT, free delivery
-57%
Yokohama Advan Fleva V701
Article number
A
67 dB
compared to
RRP
£144.27
£61.99
Price per item
£247.96 / Price per 4 items
price incl. 20% VAT, free delivery
-37%
Michelin Pilot Super Sport
Article number
B
72 dB
compared to
RRP
£254.70
£159.49
Price per item
£637.96 / Price per 4 items
price incl. 20% VAT, free delivery
-59%
Goodyear Efficientgrip
Article number
B
72 dB
compared to
RRP
£268.80
£108.49
Price per item
£433.96 / Price per 4 items
price incl. 20% VAT, free delivery
Tyre law in the UK
There is a legal minimum requirement for the tyre tread depth in the UK that may determine when you replace your tyres. For passenger cars, this minimum is 1.6 mm across the central three quarters of the tread.
People usually check this by inspecting the visual wear indicators or measuring it using a tyre tread depth gauge or 20p coin; if the outer rim of the coin is visible, the depth is probably below the minimum. It is generally recommended that you get a replacement in good time to avoid penalty fees and ensure road safety.
When to change tyres
In the UK, you should change your tyres long before the tread depth reaches the legal minimum of 1.6 mm; experts recommend replacing them at 3 mm for better grip. At 3 mm, the tyre already performs worse in terms of stopping distances and traction.
Check for visible damage, cracks, or bulges, which indicate the need for replacement. Uneven wear or frequently low pressure also signal tyre issues. Seasonal changes may require you to switch to either winter or summer tyres for optimal performance. Regularly inspect your tyres and replace them every 5–6 years, even if they appear intact.
Recommended Article
Tyre Load Index and Chart: Explanation and Meanings
Top products related to this topic:
