Tyre Explainers

Unfortunately, many UK drivers remain complacent about their tyres. From forgetting to check pressures to having little awareness about tread depth levels, many neglect these simple checks and often do not realise when new tyres are required. This complacency has consequences. It could mean risking an accident or a failed MOT. The most recent data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) shows that 2.15 million vehicles failed their MOTs based on tyre defects, increasing on the previous year.

When you are looking for tyres, especially online, you will find the best information, advice and deals if you know your tyre size. This is displayed on your current tyres' sidewall, and we explain below how to read this and what it means. All quality tyre retail sites offer the abilty to search for tyres using the size.

Modern vehicles rely on a tightly coordinated set of moving parts to deliver power smoothly from engine to road . When everything works as intended, the process feels effortless from the driver’s seat. Beneath the surface, however, a fair amount of mechanical choreography is happening at once. Somewhere within that system sits the CV Drive Shaft, a component responsible for transferring torque while the suspension rises, dips, and pivots through corners. 

UK tyre brand Davanti Tyres is encouraging drivers not to get complacent in checking the basic elements of a car, including tyres, as the weather turns autumnal. It says that many drivers rely on advanced safety features, like anti-lock braking and tyre pressure monitoring systems, to stay safe on the road. However, regular manual tyre checks remain essential for ensuring safety and legal compliance. As part of Tyre Safety Month, Davanti shares simple yet crucial tyre care tips to help motorists maintain tyre health and drive safely.

With just 39 per cent of UK drivers aware that the minimum legal tyre tread depth is 1.6mm, Hankook has published six safety tips designed to help you understand some of the most important tyre facts. “Understanding tyre terminology might seem daunting at first, but it can make a big difference in maintaining safer vehicles, cutting unnecessary running costs, and making informed decisions when purchasing or replacing tyres”, explained Mark Eatwell, Technical Services Manager at Hankook Tyre UK.

Only 39% of UK drivers are aware of the legal minimum tyre tread depth of 1.6mm, meaning 61% of drivers could unknowingly be on the road with unsafe or even illegal tyres. In fact, research also shows that up to a quarter of vehicles could have illegal tyres. “It’s a startling figure, and it highlights a significant knowledge gap that could compromise driver safety”, explains Mark Eatwell, technical services manager at Hankook Tyre UK.

TyreSafe has launched a new road safety campaign targeting horse owners, riders, and transporters. The road safety charity describes the new campaign, which was filmed on location at Solihull Riding Club and at Lancashire Constabulary's Mounted Division HQ, as its first-ever equine tyre safety campaign, equating the safety of vehicles’ rubber with animal safety. Developed in conjunction with the British Horse Society and supported by The Pony Club, the campaign provides a complete toolkit of resources, including a step-by-step guide, a downloadable leaflet, an educational video (see below), and shareable social media assets. The campaign responds to a sharp increase in the number of towing-related incidents in 2024.

LKQ Euro Car Parts, the UK’s top supplier of car parts and services, has partnered with IN’n’OUT Autocentres to keep your vehicle running smoothly. This four-year deal, lasting until October 2028, means all 31 IN’n’OUT locations nationwide will get quality parts for services, MOTs, and repairs.

Road safety charity TyreSafe teamed up with Lancashire County Council Trading Standards and Lancashire Constabulary to investigate three used tyre sellers in Preston recently – and found shocking results. Of the 30 part-worn tyres checked by investigators NONE complied with UK regulations, and nearly 20% were being sold in a condition that represents a serious safety risk to drivers, their families and other passengers. “This investigation paints a deeply worrying picture,” said Stuart Lovatt, chair of TyreSafe.