Why Tyre Safety Matters
Your tyres are the only part of your vehicle in direct contact with the road, which makes tyre safety essential. Worn, underinflated, or damaged tyres can affect your braking distance, fuel efficiency, and handling. In more serious cases, they can lead to dangerous blowouts or loss of control. It only takes a few minutes to inspect your tyres, but doing so regularly can prevent accidents, costly repairs, and even fines. In the UK, over 6 million tyres have illegal tread each year, which can land you with a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre and three penalty points- no matter what kind of vehicle you drive.
Tread, Pressure & Damage – What to Check
Tread depth is one of the most important checks you can do. The legal minimum for cars, vans, and minibuses under 3.5 tonnes is 1.6mm, but 3mm is recommended for safe performance, especially in wet conditions. Use a 20p coin to check: if you can see the outer rim, your tread may be too low. Also, check for uneven wear, which could point to wheel alignment issues.
Don’t forget your tyre pressure, underinflated tyres can overheat and increase the risk of blowouts, while overinflated tyres wear unevenly and affect handling. You’ll find the correct pressure in your vehicle handbook or on a sticker inside the driver’s door. Don’t ignore signs of tyre damage like cuts, bulges, sidewall cracks, or embedded objects, they may not always leak air immediately, but they can be dangerous.
Rotation, Sealant Kits & Spare Tyres
Rotation, Sealant Kits & Spare Tyres
Regular tyre rotation and balancing helps your tyres wear evenly and keeps your ride smooth. We recommend rotating your tyres every 6,000 miles. Unbalanced tyres can cause vibrations and premature wear. Newer vehicles may have sealant kits instead of spare tyres which are only useful if they’re in date, so check the bottle's expiry during your service. If your vehicle still has a spare tyre, make sure it’s properly inflated and damage-free, especially before long trips. Remember: space-saver spares are only for short, low-speed use.
➡️ From just £60 + VAT, we can balance and rotate your tyres.
➡️ Not sure about your sealant kit? We’ll check it for free at your next visit.
Book a free tyre safety check with our team today
Pop into our BOSCH servicing department at Rivervale House, get your tyres checked, and enjoy a coffee whilst you wait.
Why are tyre checks important?
- Over 2 million MOT failures each year are due to tyre defects — 1 million are classed as dangerous.
- Tyres are the leading cause of MOT failures in a vehicle’s first 7 years.
- In 2023, 190 people were killed or seriously injured in tyre-related crashes — up 29% from 2022, matching mobile phone-related incidents.
- 1 in 5 breakdowns on UK motorways and A-roads are caused by tyre issues — over 51,500 tyre-related breakdowns in 2023 (+14% vs 2022).
- In fatal crashes where tyres were a factor, 75% were due to poor maintenance.
- 5,594 tyre-related convictions in 2024 — below the 5-year average (6,375).
- £1 billion in fuel is wasted every year in the UK due to underinflated tyres — affecting more than half of all vehicles.
Tyre Safety Checks at Rivervale
Find out visually how to check your tyres!
Free Tyre Safety Check – This October Only!
We’re making it easier than ever to stay safe on the road. Book your FREE tyre safety check at Rivervale Cars before 31st October, and enjoy 10% off any tyre replacements, fitting, balancing, or alignment recommended by our team. This inspection is free and advisory — no pressure, just peace of mind.
Brighton-based? Visit us at Rivervale House, BOSCH Servicing Department.
Enjoy a coffee while our service team checks your tyres.
