Does the age of a tyre matter?

Why tyre age matters

Tyres contain a number of compounds that deteriorate over time, making age an important safety consideration, even if the tread looks fine.

What happens as tyres age

• The rubber becomes hardened and less flexible, resulting in less grip on the road
• Cracking occurs as the rubber dries out, particularly on the sidewalls and within tread grooves
• The internal structure of tyres weakens, leading to sudden tyre failure

Replacement guidelines

Regardless of tread, most tyre manufacturers and safety organisations recommend replacing tyres after 5 to 6 years from the date of manufacture. The absolute maximum recommended age is 10 years. To check the age of your tyres, look for the DOT date code on the sidewall.