Speaking to YouTube channel Landsail Tyres, Fuzz said: “The minimum recommended tread depth on a tyre is 3mm. A neat and easy way to check your tyre’s tread depth is take a 20 pence piece and place it upright in the grooves of the tyre.
“If the outer band of the coin is obscured by the tyre, your tyre is above the minimum legal requirement. However, if you can see the outer band of the coin it’s time to change your tyre.”
Motorists travelling with a tread depth below the legal limit are liable for a £2,500 fine.
However, this will apply for each tyre with motorists at risk of a £10,000 charge if all four are under the legal limit.
Road users could also be slapped with three penalty points on their driving licence in a major blow to motorists.
Tyre experts at KwikFit stressed that road users should replace their tyres when tread depth hits 3mm to ensure they have some protection from breaking the rules.
They said: “For safety reasons, it is recommended that you replace your car tyres before the legal limit is reached.
“Many vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing at 3 millimetres, as below this depth stopping distances start to dramatically increase.
“At 1.6 millimetres in wet weather, it takes an extra two car lengths (8 metres) to stop at 50 mph, compared to if your tread was 3 millimetres.”
Tyres below the minimum legal tread depth should be replaced as soon as possible in a potential financial dent to cash-strapped road users.
Tyres generally cost anywhere from £50 but can rise to several hundreds of pounds depending on the size and quality of the rubber purchased.
