Tyre tread check in Exeter
Professional tyre tread check services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
20-30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Professional tyre tread measurement with a proper gauge. All four tyres checked for legal depth, uneven wear patterns identified, replacement timeline advised.
Are Your Tyres Actually Legal?
Most people have no idea. The tread looks fine to the eye - there's still pattern visible - but measured properly it's borderline illegal or well past it.
The legal limit is 1.6mm. Police and MOT testers measure it accurately. "Looks okay" doesn't cut it when you're stopped or fail your MOT.
Worse, tyres below 3mm are dangerous in the wet even if they're technically legal. Stopping distances increase massively. Hydroplaning risk shoots up.
I measure all four tyres properly with a depth gauge. You'll know exactly where you stand - legal, marginal, or time to replace.
💡 Pro tip: The 20p test is handy for a rough check - if you can see the outer band when inserted in the tread, you're below 1.6mm. But get them measured properly for accuracy.
Why Accurate Measurement Matters
Guessing gets expensive:
| ✅ Measured Properly | ❌ Guessed |
|---|---|
| Know exact remaining tread | Think they're fine, actually illegal |
| Plan replacement timing | Last-minute panic, expensive |
| Spot uneven wear early | Tracking issues ruin new tyres too |
| Confident for MOT | Failed MOT, retest fees |
What You Get
🔧 Full Tread Inspection
| Check | What I Measure |
|---|---|
| Tread depth | Accurate gauge on all four tyres |
| Legal status | Above or below 1.6mm limit |
| Wear patterns | Even wear or concerning patterns |
| Across tyre | Inner, center, outer edges |
| All around | Full circumference checked |
📦 You're Left With
- Written record of measurements
- Legal status confirmed
- Replacement advice if needed
- Estimated remaining life
Pricing Guide
| Service | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| All four tyres tread depth check | 20-30 mins | £60 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour). Measuring and inspection only - new tyres not included.
Perfect For Your Situation If...
✅ MOT coming up - check they'll pass first
✅ Not sure if legal - get accurate measurement
✅ Planning long trip - confirm they're safe
✅ Just bought the car - verify tyre condition
Why Choose Us for Tyre tread check in Exeter?
Know your tyres are legal
Accurate tread depth measurements
Spot uneven wear early
Advice on replacement timing
What to Expect
Step 1: Measure All Tyres
Proper tread depth gauge on all four tyres. Inner edge, center, outer edge. Check all the way around, not just one spot.
Step 2: Assess Wear Patterns
Look at how they're wearing. Even across the tyre? One edge more than the other? Tells me about pressures, tracking, suspension issues.
Step 3: Advise & Explain
Tell you what I found - which tyres are fine, which are getting close, which need replacing now. If there's uneven wear, I'll explain why and what needs fixing.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to check your own tyre tread? Here's how:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Tread depth gauge (£5-10, worth having)
- 20p coin for quick check
- Good light
- Notepad to record measurements
🔍 The proper method
- Check in multiple places around each tyre
- Measure inner edge, center, outer edge
- Note the shallowest reading (that's what matters)
- Look for uneven wear patterns
- Record which tyre, which position, what depth
💡 Understanding tread depth
- New tyres: 7-8mm typically
- Replace soon: Below 3mm (especially for wet weather safety)
- Legal minimum: 1.6mm (but not safe minimum)
- MOT fail: Anything below 1.6mm anywhere on the tyre
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Only checking one spot on each tyre
- Not checking inner edge (often wears faster)
- Assuming all four tyres wear the same
- Waiting until legal limit (3mm is safer replacement point)
- Using only the 20p test without accurate gauge
💡 Pro trick: Check tread depth after tracking work or getting new tyres fitted. It gives you a baseline measurement to compare against later. If one tyre is wearing much faster than the others, you know something's wrong before it ruins all four.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🚗 MOT in a month? Get tread checked now. If you're marginal, you have time to shop around for tyres instead of paying whatever the MOT station charges.
Front tyres wearing faster? Normal on front-wheel-drive cars - they do all the work. Rotate front to back if they're same size to even out wear.
Bought a car with "good tyres"? Get them measured. "Good" is subjective - might be legal but close to the limit. Know what you're starting with.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the legal minimum tread depth?
1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, around the whole circumference. But that's a legal minimum, not safe minimum - tyres perform noticeably worse once they get below 3mm, especially in wet conditions. I measure accurately and tell you where you stand.
Do you check all four tyres?
Yes - all four corners get measured properly with a depth gauge. Front tyres often wear faster than rears on front-wheel-drive cars. I check them all and tell you which need attention soonest.
What if one tyre is wearing unevenly?
Uneven wear tells a story - usually tracking issues, incorrect pressures, or suspension problems. I'll show you the pattern and explain what's causing it. Sometimes a simple tracking adjustment saves premature tyre replacement.
How long before MOT should I check tread?
At least a few weeks before, so there's time to get new tyres fitted if needed without rushing. Last-minute discoveries mean you're forced to take whatever's available or pay premium prices. Plan ahead.
Can you tell me how much life is left in my tyres?
I can give you a realistic estimate based on current depth and your typical mileage. If you've got 4mm and do 10,000 miles a year, I can work out roughly how long before they hit the legal limit or safe replacement point.
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