Tyre tread an mot fail ?

[mike42]

Yes that "interesting" subject. Stupid me booked my car for its MOT before checking the tyres.

I'm worried about the front tyre. Clearly it needs changing. The 20p test shows I've at least 2mm (guessing 3) against the normal tread. But the central band I've coloured with a red line is lower than the outer treads and is about at the same level as the warning treads (al;so onew highlighted in red).

Is this gonna be a fail tomorrow ?

[Dr Interceptor]

Looks like there's more than 1.6mm there still... So I would guess you'll get advisories on tyres being worn close to the legal limit.

[shtu]

The legal minimum tread depth for car tyres in the uk is 1.6 millimeters, across the central ¾.

If it meets that, it passes.

[voram]

Depends on the tester. There's no black and white answer in these borderline cases.

[mike42]

Cheers for the quick answers but what is that central band of tyre - is it also some kind of warning ?

[Dr Interceptor]

mike42 said:

Cheers for the quick answers but what is that central band of tyre - is it also some kind of warning ?

No, it's just part of the tread pattern. The wear markers are the short bars within the tyre grooves.

[underwhelmist]

Do you mean the wear indicator? That’s the horizontal blob between the second and third strips of tread. If it’s flush with the surrounding tread it’s time to change (most would change well before this though I guess).

[E-bmw]

shtu said:

The legal minimum tread depth for car tyres in the uk is 1.6 millimeters, across the central ¾.

If it meets that, it passes.

Not quite.

The legal minimum is 1.6mm over 3/4 of the tread with visible tread over the rest.

That tyre is an easy pass assuming the rest of it is in good condition.

[mike42]

Just to follow up as I hate it when I read something and then you don't know how it finished.

Had the MOT - all passed and an advisory about the front tyres.

So thanks to all !

[voram]

mike42 said:

Had the MOT - all passed and an advisory about the front tyres.

I claim the prize!

[Dr Interceptor]

voram said:

mike42 said:

Had the MOT - all passed and an advisory about the front tyres.

I claim the prize!

Clears throat....

[Evoluzione]

voram said:

Depends on the tester. There's no black and white answer in these borderline cases.

Tyres are black & white cases, it's easily measured and not subject to opinion.
That's what TWLs are for.