All motorists have their own driving style and when choosing a new set of car tyres, it is important to consider how the tyres will perform in certain circumstances. Here is a quick summary of the legal requirements in relation to vehicle tyres.
The required depth of tread on a tyre is a minimum of 1.6mm across 75% of the tread, around the entire circumference of the tyre.
Tyres should be inflated to the correct air pressure – This will be stated in your vehicle’s manual. On newer cars, there may be a “tyre pressure warning system” – this will usually display the “required” and “actual” tyre pressure for the vehicle.
Ensure that the tyres do not have any tears, lumps or bulges on their surface.
Failure to abide by these requirements may result in a £2,500 fine and three points on your driving licence for each tyre. Also, in the event of any car accident, there is a strong possibility that if your tyres are deemed illegal – your insurance would be invalid.

HOW LONG SHOULD CAR TYRES LAST?

In short, most branded tyres are built to be durable over a period of years, but there is no definitive answer. It would depend on how the vehicle is driven, road conditions and other variables. The lifespan of tyres varies widely from 10,000 to 50,000 miles. The “best performing” tyres would generally exceed these expectations.

WHAT ARE THE BEST TYRES FOR A CAR?

As a guide (from expertviews.co.uk 2018), here are the best performing tyres in class:
Continental PremiumContact 6: Rated the best tyre for all-round performance.
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2: Rated the best tyre for driving in heavy rain.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4: Rated the best tyre for fast cornering.
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3: Rated the best tyre for all-round performance and reasonable fuel economy.