Old Tyres on Classic Cars: Age, Safety and the Law

Written by Petro Olekhnovych, mobile mechanic in Aylesham, Kent

When it comes to classic car tyres, age matters as much as tread. A tyre that has done few miles can still be unsafe because the rubber hardens and cracks over time. There is no legal age limit for tyres on a private car, but tyre retailers advise having tyres six years or older checked by a professional and watching them closely from around seven to ten years.

Why old tyres are a bigger problem on classics

Tyres contain compounds that protect the rubber from ageing. Kwik Fit explains that these are only released when the tyre is moving. A car that sits in a garage for months, then does a few short runs in summer, gets very little of that protection.

Sunlight also dries out and oxidises rubber. So a classic can have tyres with plenty of tread that are still past their best. Low-mileage, older cars are the ones most at risk.

That is why tread depth alone tells you very little on a classic. You need to know how old the tyres are and what condition the rubber is in.

How to read the tyre date code

Look on the sidewall for the letters DOT, followed by a string of letters and numbers. The last group is the date code. It is often inside a small oval window.

• Four digits (tyres made from 2000 onwards): the first two are the week, the last two are the year. So 4718 means week 47 of 2018.
• Three digits (tyres made before 2000): these tyres are now more than 20 years old. Kwik Fit and Flying Spares both advise replacing them straight away.

If you cannot see it, check the other sidewall. If the car came with a “new” set of tyres, check them too. A tyre can be sold as new for up to five years after it was made, so a fresh set may already be a few years old.

Signs a tyre is too old

Walk round the car and look closely at each tyre, including the spare. Signs of ageing include:

• Crazing: a network of fine cracks in the sidewall
• Deformed tread, which can also be a sign of ageing
• Bulges or lumps in the sidewall, which can mean the internal structure has failed

A bulge is serious. The MOT inspection manual treats a lump or bulge caused by the tyre structure separating as a dangerous defect. Do not drive on a tyre with a bulge, exposed cords or deep cuts. Get it replaced first.

Flying Spares suggests a visual check once a month on a classic, and paying extra attention to cracking if the tyres are four or five years old and the car usually lives outside.

What the law says about tyres

Tread depth. The Highway Code says cars must have at least 1.6mm of tread. The MOT inspection manual explains that this is measured across the central three-quarters of the tread, all the way round the tyre. Tyres must also be free of certain cuts and defects, and inflated to the maker’s pressure for the load you are carrying.

Penalties. Using a vehicle with defective tyres carries 3 penalty points (endorsement code CU30). Torbay Council’s road safety guidance warns of a fine of up to £2,500 and 3 points per tyre.

The 10-year rule. Since 1 February 2021, tyres over 10 years old must not be used on the front steered axles of goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, buses and coaches. On minibuses it also covers single rear wheels. It does not apply to private cars. Non-commercial vehicles over 40 years old are exempt as well. The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs points out that general roadworthiness rules still apply to every vehicle, whatever its age.

MOT exemption is not a free pass. Many cars over 40 years old no longer need an MOT. The car must still be roadworthy, tyres included. Our guide to the historic vehicle MOT exemption explains how the rule works.

When to replace classic car tyres

There is no fixed age. Different tyre makers give different advice, and some suggest replacement after six years while others say a tyre can last ten if checked regularly. A sensible approach for a classic:

1. Find the date code on every tyre, including the spare.
2. Replace any tyre with a three-digit code.
3. Have tyres six years or older inspected professionally.
4. Replace any tyre with cracking, bulges or damage, whatever its age.
5. Check pressures with the tyres cold before each run.

If the car has been laid up for a long time, tyres are one of many things to check before it goes back on the road. Our guide to classic car recommissioning covers the rest. For cars off the road for a shorter spell, see what to check on a car not driven for weeks.

How we can help

We are mobile and come to you in Aylesham, Canterbury, Dover, Deal, Sandwich, Folkestone and the villages around them. We do not fit tyres. What we can do is check tyre age, condition and pressures as part of a service, pre-MOT check or recommissioning, then tell you honestly which ones need replacing before you take the car to a tyre specialist.

Tyre checks are part of our wider classic car servicing in Kent. Labour is £30-£50 per hour depending on the job. We agree the price with you on WhatsApp before any work starts, and parts are extra.

Frequently asked questions

Is it illegal to drive on 10-year-old tyres on a car?
No. The 10-year ban covers certain axles on heavy goods vehicles, buses, coaches and minibuses. On a car, the tyre must still have legal tread and be free of dangerous defects.

My classic tyres have loads of tread. Are they fine?
Not necessarily. Rubber ages whether or not the car is driven. Check the date code and look for cracking.

What does a three-digit date code mean?
The tyre was made before 2000. Tyre retailers advise replacing it as soon as possible.

Do tyres fail the MOT for being old on a car?
Not for age alone on a standard car. They can fail for low tread, cuts, bulges or exposed cords.

Need help? Send a WhatsApp to 07563 350335 with your car’s make and model and we’ll come to you.

Sources

• The Highway Code: Annex 6, vehicle maintenance, safety and security (GOV.UK)
• MOT inspection manual: axles, wheels, tyres and suspension (GOV.UK)
• Endorsement codes and penalty points (GOV.UK)
• Ban on tyres over 10 years old for heavy vehicles and some minibuses (DVSA blog, GOV.UK)
• Commercial vehicle tyre age (Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs)
• Tyre age (Kwik Fit)
• Do car tyres have a use by date? (Kwik Fit)
• How old are my tyres? (Flying Spares)
• Tyre safety checks (Torbay Council)