How to Check Your Tire Wear: Tread Depth, Uneven Wear and Age

To check tire wear, look at three things: how much tread is left, whether the tire is wearing evenly, and how old and undamaged it is. Tread depth is measured in millimetres with a cheap depth gauge or read from the wear indicators moulded into the grooves. The legal minimum in most European countries is 1.6 mm, but tires lose wet-road grip well before that point. This guide shows how to do each check in a few minutes with the car parked on level ground. Last updated: October 2026.

Why tire wear matters

Tread grooves channel water out from under the tire. As they get shallower, the tire loses grip on wet roads, braking distances grow, and the risk of aquaplaning (the tire riding on a film of water) increases. Worn or damaged tires are also a common reason for failing a roadworthiness inspection, depending on the country.

Check 1: tread depth

With a tread depth gauge

A depth gauge is inexpensive and is the most reliable method. Push the pin to the bottom of a main groove, press the base against the tread surface and read the value. Measure in several places: across the width of the tire (inner, centre and outer grooves) and at different points around the circumference. Record the lowest reading, since that is the one that matters.

With the wear indicators

Tires have small raised bars, called tread wear indicators, in the bottom of the main grooves, set at 1.6 mm. Small markings on the sidewall (often the letters TWI or a triangle) show where they are. When the tread is worn level with those bars, the tire has reached the legal limit in most European countries and must be replaced.

When to replace before the legal limit

1.6 mm is a minimum for legality, not a target for safety. Many tire manufacturers and motoring organisations advise replacing earlier, particularly for wet-weather driving and for winter tires, whose grip in snow depends on deeper grooves. Check your tire manufacturer’s guidance for the exact figures that apply to your tires.

Check 2: wear pattern

Look at the whole tread surface, not just one groove. The pattern points to a cause that new tires alone will not fix.

What you see	Likely cause	What to do
Centre of the tread worn more than the edges	Tire pressure too high	Set the pressure to the value in the owner’s manual; see how to check and set tire pressure
Both outer edges worn more than the centre	Tire pressure too low	Same as above, and check for slow leaks
One edge (inner or outer) worn more than the other	Wheel alignment (camber or toe) out of specification	Have the alignment checked at a workshop
Scalloped or «cupped» patches around the tire	Worn suspension parts or an unbalanced wheel	Have the suspension and wheel balance inspected
Saw-tooth feel when you run a hand over the tread	Often alignment-related	Check alignment

If the car pulls to one side or the steering wheel is off-centre while driving straight, mention it to the workshop when you ask for an alignment check.

Check 3: age and damage

Find the tire’s age

Rubber ages even when the car barely moves. On the sidewall, find the letters DOT followed by a code; the last four digits give the production date as week and year. For example, DOT … 2311 means the 23rd week of 2011. Many manufacturers advise a professional inspection of tires after about five years, and some recommend replacement at around ten years regardless of remaining tread. Check your manufacturer’s guidance, as the figures differ.

Look for damage

Run your eyes and hand over the tread and both sidewalls. These signs mean the tire should be inspected by a professional before further driving, and usually replaced:

• Bulges or bumps in the sidewall, often caused by hitting a kerb or pothole.
• Cracks in the rubber, especially across the grooves or sidewall.
• Cuts or exposed cords, where the internal fabric or steel is visible.
• Objects stuck in the tread and tires that repeatedly lose pressure.

Sidewall damage cannot normally be repaired safely.

When you replace tires

• Choose the size, load index and speed rating listed in the owner’s manual or on the tire placard (often on the door frame or fuel flap).
• It is generally advised to fit tires in pairs on the same axle, with matching size and type, so that grip and braking are balanced.
• If you switch between summer and winter sets, see when to change winter and summer tires.
• For more on maintenance and modifications, see our guide to checking tire maintenance and modification.

Rules and inspections vary by country

Minimum tread depth, fines for worn tires and the details of the periodic vehicle inspection are set nationally. Check the rules of the country where you drive, and ask the inspection station which tire defects it treats as grounds for failing.

Quick checklist

• Measure tread depth in several grooves; replace at the legal limit at the latest, and earlier if you drive a lot in the wet or in winter.
• Look for uneven wear and fix the cause, not only the tires.
• Read the DOT code and note the tire’s age.
• Inspect both sidewalls for bulges, cracks and cuts.
• Check the pressure monthly and before long trips.

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