UK Tyre Tread Depth Law: 1.6mm Minimum & MOT Checks (All Cities)
What is the legal tyre tread depth UK — fines, points, and why many drivers replace at 3mm before wet drives on M62, M6, M8 and London A-roads.
The legal minimum tread depth for cars, light vans and light trailers in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre width, around the entire circumference. Below that risks fines, points and MOT failure — but many experts recommend replacing at 3mm for wet grip on fast dual carriageways around Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and the North Circular.
20p quick check
Insert a 20p coin into the main grooves; if the outer band disappears, you likely have adequate depth — use a gauge for certainty.
What to do next
If borderline, book replacement fitting before long trips — especially in heavy rain on routes serving Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle and London.
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