Not all tyre damage is created equal — but when it comes to your sidewalls, even small cracks or bulges can make your car unsafe and illegal to drive. This guide explains the UK laws on tyre sidewall damage, what counts as a legal fail, and how to handle or replace damaged tyres safely.
Tyre maintenance isn’t just about keeping yourself and your passengers safe on the road – though this is of primary concern to most drivers and vehicle owners. In fact, there are also some legal considerations at play, with the tyre sidewalls falling under particular scrutiny when it comes to the legality of a tyre.
For more information on what to check for, and how to determine if your tyres are legal or not, keep reading…
What Should You Check on Your Tyre Sidewall?
A visual inspection will highlight whether or not your tyre sidewall is of a legal standard or not – mainly because, for a sidewall to be classed as illegal and dangerous, it needs to exhibit signs of bulging and/or cracks and splits in the rubber.
In short, if a tyre sidewall is visibly damaged, it affects the structural integrity and safety of the tyre. This is when a tyre becomes illegal to drive on.
What Happens if a Tyre Sidewall is Damaged?
If a tyre sidewall becomes damaged, the tyre is classed as illegal.
But what consequences does that hold for the vehicle owner or driver?
- Cars that have a damaged sidewall will fail their MOT – leaving them unable to be driven until the tyres are replaced
- Anyone caught driving a car with damaged sidewalls will be fined and will receive penalty points on their licence
What’s more, driving on a tyre that has extensive damage to the sidewall is incredibly dangerous. Not only can it leave your tyres more susceptible to blowout if you hit a pothole or bump in the road, but it increases the risk of loss of control and grip on the surface. This means that you are more likely to cause an accident.
In short, if you notice damage to the sidewall of your tyres, you must either replace the tyres immediately or take them to a garage for a professional inspection.
What Causes Damage to a Tyre Sidewall?
The tyre sidewall is not the part of the tyre that touches the road surface – rather, it’s the section between the outer rim of the wheel and the tread surface, that can be seen when you bend down and look at the tyre from a side angle.
Damage tends to be caused by bumping up against a curb or hitting something. Hazards and debris on the road can also cause damage to the sidewall of a tyre, as can having the tyres either under- or over-inflated.
Some other potential hazards to be aware of include:
- Extreme temperatures
- Aging, which weakens the rubber tyre and exacerbates the impact of any damage
All things considered, damage to the sidewall of your tyres is more common than you think, despite the sidewall not making direct contact with the road. Because of this, remaining vigilant and checking the structure and integrity of the tyres is crucial.
