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Use our tyre age calculator to quickly check how old your tyres are and understand what the date code on your tyre sidewall means.
Each tyre has a four-digit code indicating its manufacture date. Although a tyre may have good tread, it should still be replaced due to a loss of grip from ageing. Input your code to find your tyre's age and what steps you should take next. Alternatively, you can browse tyres by manufacturer for a replacement if you know it's time to get a new one.
Enter the four-digit date code from the end of your tyre's DOT number.
The sidewall of every tyre has a code that starts with the letters DOT, followed by a few letters and some numbers. The last four digits are the week and the year the tyre was manufactured.
For example, a code with the last four digits 3619 means that the tyre was manufactured in the 36th week of 2019. Tyres that were manufactured before the year 2000 have a three-digit code and should never be on the road. If you are ever in doubt, check with a local fitter.
The age of a tyre is just as important as the remaining tread. Grip decreases long before a tyre becomes treadless, because tyres dry and harden with age. Both age and miles matter.
This also applies to tyres on caravans and trailers, where the tyres age before they wear. It is a good idea to check the sidewall height of your tyres and compare brands before you make a purchase.
Tyre rubber is made from a compound that naturally ages over time, in a process called oxidation. Tyres age from exposure to the sun, high temperatures and ozone. Naturally, tyres can develop micro-cracks in the rubber (crazing) from oxidation. This happens with tyres that are still being used and with spare tyres that are not being used at all, which is why it is important to check your spare.
Tyres that are stored in high temperatures or come into contact with the sun will age faster. In addition to checking the date, there should be no cracking, bulging or uneven tread wear. Be sure to check the tread depth. Decode your tyre size to confirm fitment, or compare alternative tyre sizes, to select appropriate tyres for your vehicle.
To identify the tyre age, look for the DOT code on the tyre sidewall. The last four digits indicate the week and year of tyre production. For example, 3619 means the tyre was produced in the 36th week of the year 2019. You can enter the DOT code in the tool above to determine the production week and year.
The DOT code is on the sidewall of the tyre. It begins with the letters DOT, is followed by other letters and numbers, and concludes with the four-digit code that indicates the production date. The full code is only on one side of the tyre, so make sure to examine both sidewalls.
Though there is no set expiry date for tyres, it is commonly recommended to have your tyres checked by an expert once they reach five years and to completely replace them by the time they reach ten years. The recommended replacement is due to the hardening of rubber with age and the decreased grip of the tyre, especially in wet conditions.
Tyres that are ten years and older are generally not safe for use. The rubber of these tyres will have become fully hardened, leading to decreased grip on the road and possible cracking. Even if there is tread, these tyres should be replaced. It is recommended that you replace them with new tyres.
Absolutely. Even if tyres aren't in use, they still oxidise and are exposed to the elements. A tyre that hasn't been used can be as unsafe as a tyre that has been used. This can apply to spare and caravan tyres as well.
This code indicates the manufacture date. The first half of the code gives the week of the year and the latter half gives the year. A tyre with a three-digit code was manufactured in the 1990s or earlier. Tyres that were manufactured in 2000 and after follow the four-digit format.
Check tyre size, tread depth, stopping distances and more with our quick and easy tyre tools.
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