Even minor damage to your tyres can raise safety concerns — but not every cut is cause for alarm. In this guide, we explain what a small cut in your tyre tread means, when it’s safe to keep driving, and the signs that indicate it’s time for a tyre replacement.
The more you use your vehicle, the higher the rate of wear and tear. When it comes to vehicle maintenance and monitoring the state and suitability of the vehicle in terms of safety and performance, it’s important to know the difference between regular wear and tear and excessive damage.
One particularly prominent area to focus on, when assessing wear and tear, is the tyres.
This is because the tyres are the only part of the vehicle that makes contact with the ground / road surface and, as a result, are most susceptible to damage.
So, with that in mind, what do different levels of damage mean and what impact does a crack in the outer tread of the tyre have?
Common Signs of Wear and Tear on Tyres
The most obvious sign of wear and tear on a tyre is a worn tread. The tyre tread on a brand new tyre tends to sit at around 8mm in depth – wearing down gradually until it reaches the legal minimum limit. The legal limit for tyre tread is 1.6mm - any lower than this is considered dangerous and illegal.
Another sign of wear and tear is cracks on the surface of the tyre. However, what matters here is the position and location of the crack or damage.
A Crack in the Tyre Tread: Dangerous?
Contrary to popular belief, a small cut or crack in the tyre tread is not considered particularly dangerous. Rather, this is an example of wear and tear that is to be expected.
The tread of the tyre is a thick rim of rubber, that wears down gradually and with continued use. Its purpose is to soak up any outward damage to protect the structural integrity of the tyre and to keep the vehicle safely on the road.
While any kind of crack or cut in this rubber tread should be monitored, it does not immediately equate to a tyre which is dangerous and needs to be replaced.
