Most drivers check tread depth and pressure, but very few check the age of their tyres. A tyre can look perfectly fine — plenty of tread, no visible cracks — and still be past its best. Rubber ages even when a car sits unused, and an old tyre is more likely to fail suddenly, especially at motorway speeds or in cold weather. The good news: every tyre carries its own birth certificate, stamped right on the sidewall.
Finding the DOT code
Look for the letters "DOT" on the sidewall, followed by a string of letters and numbers. The last four digits are the ones that matter. The first two digits are the week of manufacture, and the last two are the year. So a code ending in "3223" means the tyre was made in the 32nd week of 2023, and one ending in "0519" means the fifth week of 2019.
Tyres made before the year 2000 used a three-digit code, but if you find one of those on a car still in daily use, it is long past replacement — no debate needed.
How old is too old?
There is no single legal age limit for car tyres in the UK, but the industry consensus is clear: most manufacturers recommend replacing tyres after around six years, regardless of tread, and consider ten years an absolute maximum. After six years, the rubber compounds harden and lose grip, particularly in wet conditions, and the risk of cracking and delamination rises.
That matters most for low-mileage cars. A second car, a classic, or a caravan tyre can easily reach six or seven years with most of its tread intact. Tread depth alone will not tell you the tyre is ageing — the DOT code will.
What to check beyond the date
Age is one check, not the whole story. Run your eyes and hands over each tyre: look for fine cracks in the sidewall, bulges, cuts, or uneven wear across the tread. A bulge means internal damage and the tyre should not be driven on at all. Uneven wear can point to tracking or pressure problems worth fixing before they eat a new set of tyres.
Pressure matters too. Under-inflated tyres wear faster at the edges, overheat, and use more fuel. Check pressures monthly when the tyres are cold, using the figures in your door jamb or handbook rather than the maximum printed on the sidewall.
Buying tyres: check the date before you pay
New tyres are not always freshly made. A "new" tyre that has sat in a warehouse for three years has already used up half of its recommended service life. Before fitting, ask the supplier to show you the DOT codes, and be wary of any deal that seems too cheap — it may be old stock. A reputable mobile tyre fitting service will show you the dates without being asked and will not fit a tyre it would not put on its own car.
When to get a professional opinion
If any tyre is over six years old, has sidewall cracking, a bulge, or a slow puncture that keeps returning, get it looked at rather than guessing. A mobile fitter can inspect all four tyres at your home or workplace and tell you honestly which ones need replacing and which have life left — often saving you the cost of replacing a full set when only one or two are due.
Tyre age is a five-minute check that costs nothing and can prevent the kind of blowout no driver wants at 70 mph. Find the DOT code, do the maths, and if the numbers worry you, get a professional to take a look. For drivers in Glasgow and the surrounding areas, Tyre Repair Near Me offers mobile tyre fitting at your home or workplace.
Top comments (0)