Illegal Tyres on the Rise – Micheldever

Research by Micheldever Tyres Services shows that over 30 per cent of cars coming into the company’s flagship outlet in Hampshire have at least one illegal tyre – up from 19 per cent one year ago. Furthermore, over 80 per cent of cars have badly worn tyres, with a tread depth below 2mm.

Although signs of economic recovery are beginning to appear, it still seems that consumers are putting off the replacement of tyres with a tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm in an attempt to save money. “The reality is that delaying the replacement of badly worn tyres is a false economy that places drivers, their passengers and other road users at serious risk,” commented Micheldever Tyres Services chief executive Paul Fox.

With over 31 million cars registered in the UK, the figure suggests that up to 9.5 million motorists could be flouting the law by driving on unsafe tyres. Defective, badly worn and under inflated tyres will certainly compromise safe stopping distances; they will also use more fuel and contribute to an increase in emissions. Micheldever invites motorists to take advantage of a free tyre safety check, which includes tread depth, tyre pressures, uneven wear due to misalignment, general condition and tyre age, at any of the 49 Micheldever/Protyre outlets nationwide.