The average lifespan of a tyre is 5 to 6 years, with around 20,000 miles of driving before replacement is usually needed. Your tyres might need replacing sooner if you notice damage, uneven wear or the tread has started wearing down more than normal.
It is important for your safety, and the safety of others on the road, to regularly check your tyres and their air pressure. Pay attention to how the car feels as well. If something suddenly feels different when steering, or you notice a change while driving, get the tyres checked rather than leaving them until later.
The most obvious sign of a worn tyre is usually the tread. In the UK, the legal minimum tread depth for a car tyre is 1.6mm. Once your tyre gets below this, you should not be driving on the tyre.
One easy way of checking at home is with a 20p coin. Put the coin into the main tread of your tyre and look at the outer band. If you still see the band, your tread is getting too low and replacement is due.
There are other things worth looking for too. Cracks on the sidewall, uneven tread, cuts or a bulge in the tyre are all signs something is wrong. If you notice any of these, have the tyre checked. Leaving a damaged tyre on the car is not worth taking the risk.
Enter your registration to start your tyre search, then confirm the suggested size against your current tyres and the vehicle manufacturer’s specification. You can also search directly by tyre size.
For example, 205/55 R16 means a tyre is 205 mm wide, its sidewall height is 55% of its width, and it fits a 16-inch wheel. Check the required load index and speed rating too. Front and rear tyre sizes can differ, so check both axles before ordering.
The price of a new tyre varies quite a bit. Generally, you are looking at around £50 as a starting point for a new car tyre, with plenty costing more depending on what you need.
The price depends on tyre size, brand and specification. Enter your registration or tyre size to compare prices for tyres that fit your vehicle.
Choose Fully Fitted to compare prices with fitting, or Mail Order for tyres supplied without fitting. Check the total for your chosen tyres and service before you pay.
Choose according to the conditions you drive in. Summer tyres are designed for warmer weather, including wet and dry roads. Winter tyres are designed for cold conditions, including snow and ice. All-season tyres combine characteristics of both for year-round use.
Compare suitable tyres in your vehicle’s size and specification. Our all-season vs summer tyres guide explains the differences if you are unsure which type to buy.
Your tyres are bound to give you trouble at some point. A puncture on the motorway. Sidewall damage while you are out. Or you come outside in the morning and one of the tyres has lost pressure.
This is where mobile fitting comes in. We bring the new tyres to your location and the fitter does the work there, rather than you having to get the car over to a garage first. Once the tyres are fitted, you are ready to get back on the road.
Would you rather take the car into a garage? That works too. Enter your postcode and find a tyre fitting centre nearby, then have your tyres sent there ready for fitting. Whichever suits you better.
