Free Tyre Safety Checkin Mitcham, London
A 15-minute check that covers tread depth, tyre pressure, sidewall condition, wear patterns, and valve condition on all four tyres. We give you the measurements, not just a pass or fail.
Most tyre problems develop slowly — and invisibly
Tread depth reduces by roughly 1mm every 5,000–7,000 miles depending on driving style and road conditions. That's a gradual change that's almost impossible to track by eye. By the time a tyre looks worn, it may already be below the 3mm threshold where wet-weather braking starts to deteriorate noticeably.
Pressure loss is equally subtle. A tyre can lose 1–2 psi per month through normal permeation through the rubber, and seasonal temperature changes add another 1 psi for every 10°F drop. A tyre that was correctly inflated in summer will typically be 4–6 psi low by January without a single puncture.
The safety check exists to catch what the driver can't see. Tread depth gauges, calibrated pressure gauges, and a trained eye on the sidewall take 15 minutes and cost nothing. The alternative — discovering a problem at 70 mph on a wet motorway — is a risk that doesn't need to be taken.
The numbers that matter
Each tyre below 1.6mm tread depth carries a £2,500 fine and three penalty points. Four illegal tyres means a potential £10,000 fine and 12 points — an automatic driving ban.
A tyre at the legal minimum (1.6mm) takes 44% longer to stop at 80 mph in wet conditions compared to a tyre at 3mm. The AA and Michelin have both published this figure from independent testing.
TyreSafe's annual survey consistently finds that around 25% of vehicles on UK roads have at least one tyre below the legal limit. Many drivers are unaware because tread wear is gradual and easy to miss.
What the check covers
Six inspection points on all four tyres. Each one is measured or assessed against a defined standard — not a general impression.
Tread Depth
Measured on all four tyres
The legal minimum in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread width. Below 3mm, wet braking distance increases significantly — at 80 mph in wet conditions, a tyre at 1.6mm takes up to 44% longer to stop than one at 3mm. Our technicians measure each tyre with a calibrated depth gauge and record the reading.
Tyre Pressure
Checked against manufacturer specification
Pressure is checked cold using a calibrated gauge and compared against the vehicle manufacturer's specification for the load and speed rating of the tyre fitted. Under-inflation by 20% increases fuel consumption by 1.5% and reduces tyre life by up to 25%. Over-inflation reduces the contact patch, shortening braking distances in dry conditions but increasing the risk of aquaplaning.
Sidewall Condition
Bulges, cuts, and cracking inspected
The sidewall carries the full load of the vehicle and absorbs every kerb strike and pothole impact. Bulges indicate internal structural damage — a separation of the carcass plies — and a tyre in this condition can fail without warning at speed. Cuts, scrapes, and cracking are assessed for depth and extent.
Tread Wear Pattern
Identifies alignment and pressure problems
The wear pattern across the tread face tells you what is happening mechanically. Inner-edge wear points to negative camber or wheel alignment problems. Outer-edge wear suggests positive camber or aggressive cornering. Centre wear indicates chronic over-inflation. Cupping or scalloping across the tread suggests wheel imbalance or worn shock absorbers.
Valve Condition
Valve stems and caps checked
Rubber valve stems degrade over time, particularly when exposed to road salt and temperature cycling. A cracked or perished valve stem causes a slow leak that can go unnoticed for weeks. Valve caps are the last line of defence against contamination entering the valve core.
Age and Date Code
DOT code checked for tyre age
Every tyre carries a DOT code stamped on the sidewall. The last four digits give the week and year of manufacture — for example, 2319 means the 23rd week of 2019. Most manufacturers recommend replacing tyres after ten years regardless of tread depth, as the rubber compound degrades internally even when the tread appears serviceable.
Reading the wear pattern
The way a tyre wears is a diagnostic tool in itself. Each pattern points to a specific mechanical condition — and identifying it early prevents the underlying problem from causing further damage. A tyre worn on the inner edge isn't just a worn tyre; it's evidence of a wheel alignment problem that will destroy the replacement tyre at the same rate if it isn't corrected.
During the safety check, our technicians note the wear pattern on each tyre and explain what it indicates. If alignment or balancing work is needed, we'll tell you — but there's no pressure to book anything on the day.
Wear pattern quick reference
| Pattern | Cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Centre wear | Over-inflation | Reduce pressure to manufacturer spec |
| Both edge wear | Under-inflation | Inflate to correct pressure |
| Inner edge only | Negative camber / alignment | Book wheel alignment check |
| Outer edge only | Positive camber / cornering | Book wheel alignment check |
| Cupping / scalloping | Wheel imbalance or worn shocks | Book wheel balance check |
| Feathering | Toe misalignment | Book 4-wheel alignment |
| One-sided rear wear | Thrust angle problem | Book 4-wheel alignment |
Common tyre checking mistakes
These are the four most frequent errors drivers make when checking their own tyres — and why each one leaves a gap in the picture.
Checking tread with a 20p coin
The 20p coin test only tells you whether you are above or below the legal minimum. It gives no indication of the actual depth, and it doesn't check the full width of the tread. A calibrated depth gauge measures in millimetres across multiple points.
Checking pressure when the tyre is hot
Tyre pressure increases by approximately 4–6 psi when the tyre is warm from driving. Checking a hot tyre and adjusting to the manufacturer's cold specification will leave the tyre under-inflated once it cools. Always check cold — before driving, or after no more than a mile at low speed.
Only checking the two front tyres
Rear tyres wear differently from fronts, particularly on front-wheel-drive cars where the fronts do the steering and most of the braking. Rear tyres often develop shoulder wear from alignment problems that go unnoticed because they're out of the driver's eyeline.
Ignoring a slow puncture
A tyre losing 2–3 psi per week is not self-healing. The cause — a nail, a faulty valve, or a bead leak — will worsen. Driving on a chronically under-inflated tyre generates heat in the sidewall that can cause irreversible structural damage, turning a £15 puncture repair into a tyre replacement.
What happens during the check
Drive in — no appointment needed
The safety check is available during normal workshop hours. You don't need to book in advance, though calling ahead means we can confirm availability. The check takes around 15 minutes and you're welcome to wait.
All four tyres inspected
Each tyre is checked for tread depth (measured at three points across the tread width), pressure (compared against your vehicle's manufacturer specification), sidewall condition, wear pattern, valve condition, and DOT date code.
You receive the actual measurements
We don't just tell you whether your tyres passed or failed. We give you the tread depth reading for each tyre and the pressure reading, so you know exactly where each tyre sits relative to the legal limit and the replacement threshold.
Recommendations explained clearly
If any tyre needs attention — whether that's replacement, alignment, balancing, or just a pressure adjustment — we explain why and give you a quote. There's no obligation to proceed on the day.
What we're looking for
When to book a safety check
There are specific moments when a tyre check is more than routine maintenance — it's a direct response to a known risk.
Every six months
Tread wear and pressure loss are continuous processes. A six-month interval catches problems before they reach the legal threshold.
After a pothole impact
Pothole impacts can cause internal sidewall damage that isn't visible externally. A bulge may develop days after the impact, not immediately.
Before a long journey
Motorway driving at sustained speed generates more heat in the tyre than urban driving. Starting with correct pressure and adequate tread depth reduces the risk of a blowout.
When the car pulls or vibrates
Pulling to one side or steering wheel vibration are symptoms that often originate at the tyre. A safety check is the logical starting point before booking alignment or balancing work.
If the check identifies a problem
The safety check is diagnostic. If it reveals a tyre that needs replacing, an alignment issue, or a balancing problem, these are the services that address each finding.
New Tyres
If tread depth is below 3mm or the tyre has structural damage, we stock all major brands with same-day fitting.
View New TyresWheel Alignment
Uneven wear across the tread width points to a wheel alignment problem. The Hunter HawkEye Elite measures all four wheels simultaneously.
View Wheel AlignmentWheel Balancing
Cupping or scalloping wear patterns indicate wheel imbalance. Balancing corrects the weight distribution and eliminates the vibration that causes the wear.
View Wheel BalancingTyre Brand Guide
Not sure which brand to choose when a replacement is needed? Our comparison guide covers the premium brands with honest assessments.
View Brand GuideBook your free tyre safety check
IQ Tyres, Mitcham, South London. We check all four tyres and give you the actual measurements — tread depth, pressure, and condition — so you know exactly where you stand.