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Tyre wear. Legally acceptable limit?

Premier_2
Premier_2 Posts: 15,141 Forumite
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edited 11 December 2009 at 4:30PM in Motoring
Can anyone explain why this tyre is considered "close to the legal limt" regarding wear please?

A colleague of mine took his car for an MOT and is puzzled (as I am) regarding the advisory note:

"Offside front (inner edge) Tyre worn close to legal limit (4.1.D.1)"

21b5hu9.jpg

The LHS is the inner edge, shown in close up here:

10igp03.jpg

According to Motester:
The reason for failure with respect to tyre wear is:

"The grooves of the tread pattern are not at least 1.6mm throughout a continuous band comprising: the central three-quarters of the breadth of tread around the entire outer circumference of the tyre".
Apparently the depth of tread in that area is 4-5mm (the depth on a brand new tyre is 7mm). This looks about correct based on the tread wear indicators on the tyre. If you look carefully, you can see the nipple on the tread wear indicator is not even touched.

Any ideas please as to why this is "close to the legal limit"?
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Comments

  • Hintza
    Hintza Posts: 19,420 Forumite
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    Did he pass it?

    I assume he did, so therefore I imagine he is assuming the vast majority of punters won't look at their tyres until the next MOT date.

    Looks OK to me.
  • onejontwo
    onejontwo Posts: 1,089 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    He is simply advising you that the wear is approaching the" tread wear indicator " and so keep an eye on this for the future. Nothing more, nothing less....
  • DaveMacD
    DaveMacD Posts: 575 Forumite
    Very strange, especially if it's like that all the way round...
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  • onejontwo
    onejontwo Posts: 1,089 Forumite
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    Also have you checked the tyre all the way round? The reason I ask is that sometimes there may be an area of the tyre which is worn more than the rest, possibly due to sudden braking, brakes locking up, wheel spins, skidding etc.
  • Premier_2
    Premier_2 Posts: 15,141 Forumite
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    edited 11 December 2009 at 5:27PM
    Hintza wrote: »
    Did he pass it?

    I assume he did, so therefore I imagine he is assuming the vast majority of punters won't look at their tyres until the next MOT date.

    Looks OK to me.

    onejontwo wrote: »
    He is simply advising you that the wear is approaching the" tread wear indicator " and so keep an eye on this for the future. Nothing more, nothing less....

    Yes, he passed it, but advised it was only just legal, or in his words "close to the legal limit"

    It also advises "You should obtain expert advice on any defects listed overleaf. Continued use of the vehicle (even though a test certificate may have been issued) may make you, and/or anyone who drives the vehicle, liable for prosecution or invalidate your vehicle insurance" :eek:

    Hence why my colleague contacted me. But I too am stumped.
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  • Premier_2
    Premier_2 Posts: 15,141 Forumite
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    edited 11 December 2009 at 5:27PM
    DaveMacD wrote: »
    Very strange, especially if it's like that all the way round...
    onejontwo wrote: »
    Also have you checked the tyre all the way round? The reason I ask is that sometimes there may be an area of the tyre which is worn more than the rest, possibly due to sudden braking, brakes locking up, wheel spins, skidding etc.

    Yes, the tyres were checked all the way round. I am advised the area photographed is possibly the worst area on both front tyres. (a similar advisory was given for the front nearside tyre)
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  • darich
    darich Posts: 2,145 Forumite
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    Premier wrote: »
    "You should obtain expert advice on any defects listed overleaf. Continued use of the vehicle (even though a test certificate may have been issued) may make you, and/or anyone who drives the vehicle, liable for prosecution or invalidate your vehicle insurance" :eek:

    This quote is meaningless since it could be aimed at a brand new car just off a forecourt. If a buld failed on a new car then strictly speaking it's not roadworthy even though it's 3 years form its first MOT.

    I agree with onejontwo - simply advising that the tread is wearig close to the indicator and may no last until the next MOT.

    Could happen at only one point due to a number of things as has already been pointed out. Skidding, or internal tyre damage can cause very localised damage.

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  • Premier_2
    Premier_2 Posts: 15,141 Forumite
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    :confused:

    I'm not sure what you mean darich?

    This is from an MOT test. Cars are not entered for an MOT until they are 3 years old.

    Surely advisory notes should be highlighting existing faults, not faults that may occur some time in the future?
    "Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 2010
  • Was a tyre gauge used by whoever says 4 or 5 mm?
    If it's 4mm, it's only 2.4mm away from being 3 points (a new tyre at 7mm being 5.4mm away from it).
    So there is less than 50% life left.

    Take it to kwik fit for a free tyre check, they'll advise you if it's dangerous and needs replacing or not.
  • Premier_2
    Premier_2 Posts: 15,141 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 11 December 2009 at 6:08PM
    Was a tyre gauge used by whoever says 4 or 5 mm?
    If it's 4mm, it's only 2.4mm away from being 3 points (a new tyre at 7mm being 5.4mm away from it).
    So there is less than 50% life left.

    Take it to kwik fit for a free tyre check, they'll advise you if it's dangerous and needs replacing or not.

    Yes, a tyre guage was used to measure the thread depth at various points covering the measurable area, hence why it varies from 4-5mm

    7mm is the maximum depth of thread measured with a brand new tyre

    My colleague has been to a tyre fitting depot and they said they could see nothing wrong the the tyres. Hence the confusion.
    An MOT tester is suggesting they are only just passable and need attention soon, (and has put that in writing) yet the tyre fitter says there is no reason to change the tyres, but obviously hasn't put that in writing.
    "Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 2010
This discussion has been closed.
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