How long do car tyres last?

It’s easy to take tyres for granted and not pay much attention to them. In reality, tyres must be well maintained and replaced at certain intervals.

The consensus among tyre manufacturers and safety groups is that vehicle owners should replace their tyres roughly every 5-6 years. This is reiterated by the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation (ETRTO), which state that tyres may be considered new for 5 years from the date of manufacture.

Of course, the lifespan of a tyre will depend on the specific tyre you have and your day-to-day use.

For instance, if you regularly drive on incorrectly inflated tyres or expose them to rough road conditions, chances are that the tread will wear more quickly. Likewise, if you’ve picked up any bad driving habits or your wheels aren’t correctly aligned, this too could contribute to a shorter tyre lifespan. Other factors include how the tyre is stored, what sort of care is taken, and the climate you drive in.

What’s more, tyres age according to a chemical process known as oxidisation. This is when the flexible parts of the tyre are exposed to oxygen particles, and the rubber begins to harden. Oxidisation happens whether a tyre is left on a shelf or is used regularly, beginning from the moment it is manufactured – however, it accelerates at different rates depending on how the tyre is stored.

To the unsuspecting eye, all tyres look the same. Take a closer look and you will see that each one is embossed with its own unique set of tyre markings. One of these markings is referred to as a DOT code. You can think of this as a tyre’s birth certificate – so you’ll easily be able to identify how old your tyres are.

The DOT code comprises an alphanumeric string of several characters – but it’s the final 4 digits that we’re interested in. Here’s how to read a DOT code:

• While there are many markings on a tyre’s sidewall, the DOT code is among the easiest to find because it begins with the letters “DOT”
• The final four digits indicate the tyre’s production date, for example, 4419
• The first two digits indicate the calendar week in which the tyre was produced. In this instance, 44. This is followed by the year of production – for example, 19, referring to 2019

While DOT codes are used primarily to track tyres in the event of a product recall, they are handy for predicting the shelf life of a tyre, not least if you have lost your receipts. Remember, the age of your tyre starts from the manufactured date, not from the period you have it fitted. Remember to check the DOT number on your spare tyre too; especially if you’ve never replaced them.

As a rule of thumb, you should use the tyre’s production date alongside its condition when deciding if a replacement is required.

If, for instance, the tread depth falls below 2mm but your tyre is less than 5 years old, it doesn’t mean you should forgo a replacement. On the contrary, any significant loss in tread depth should be treated seriously, as should any other physical defects (cracking, bulging, etc.).

Likewise, even if a tyre looks physically sound, it still might not be suitable to drive on – especially if it hasn’t been stored correctly. The components inside a tyre aren’t indestructible and could separate for any number of reasons without showing any external damage.

Learn more about tyre tread depth