TYRES
INFORMATION
THIS INSPECTION APPLIES TO:
Tyres fitted to the road wheels only, except in the case of a PSV. The vehicle presenter should be informed when it is noticed that there is a defective tyre on a spare wheel. No comment should be made where a spare wheel is not present.
IDENTIFYING TYRE SIZE AND TYPE
To identify the size and type of tyres, it might be necessary to rotate the wheels or move the vehicle.
Only one sidewall of a tyre needs to be marked.
Section height: section width ratio (aspect ratio).
The aspect ratio of a tyre is included in the size marking e.g. a 215/55R15 has an aspect ratio of 55%.
“Standard” car tyres have a nominal aspect ratio of 82% (unless marked otherwise) and these are almost identical in size to tyres with an aspect ratio of 80% and can be safely mixed in any configuration on a vehicle. Therefore, in these circumstances it is not a Reason for Rejection
Load capacity
The relevant axle UK WEIGHT is that shown on the Manufacturer’s Plate displaying axle weights. Where a Manufacturer’s Plate is not fitted or does not display axle weights, then the load capacity of tyres on such vehicles must be assumed suitable, unless there is indisputable evidence to the contrary.
Dual size marking of tyres
Some tyre manufacturers are now dual marking certain sizes of tyres. For example, a 185/75R14 tyre may be dual marked 185R14
Where a tyre is found to be dual marked by the manufacturer on the side-wall, either markings can be accepted.
Inspecting the tyres
It is not possible to see every part of a tyre, in particular the tread contact area, when twin wheels are fitted or when the body shrouds the tyres. If necessary, the vehicle must be moved to expose the hidden parts and the examination completed from under the vehicle.
Recut tyres
Recut tyres are permitted on:-
- A goods vehicle at least 2540 kg unladen weight having at least 405 mm (16 inch) diameter wheels,
- A vehicle with at least 8 passenger seats, excluding the driver’s seat, and over 2540 kg unladen weight,
- A vehicle over 3050 kg unladen weight.
Tread
A tread pattern is the combination of plain surfaces and grooves extending across the breadth of the tread and round the entire circumference.
The tread pattern excludes any tie-bars, tread wear indicators, or other features designed to wear out substantially before the remainder of the pattern, and other minor features. Grooves that had not been cut as deep as those containing the wear indicators when new, are not to be considered as part of the tread pattern.
Breadth of tread
The part of the tyre which can contact the road under normal conditions of use measured at 90 degrees to the peripheral line of the tread.
A 1.6 mm minimum tread depth applies to:
A vehicle first used after January 1933 that is either:-
- a passenger carrying vehicle (car, motor caravan etc) with not more than 8 passenger seats, excluding the drivers, or
- a goods vehicle or dual purpose vehicle not exceeding 3500 kg maximum gross weight.
- All quadricycles
- Tricycles with an unladen weight exceeding 410kg
A 1.0 mm tread depth applies to:
- A passenger carrying vehicle with more than 8 passenger seats excluding the driver’s seat.
- Tricycles with an unladen weight not exceeding 410 kg and an engine capacity greater than 50cc
- A vehicle first used before January 1933.
A visible tread pattern only applies to:
a. Tricycles with an unladen weight not exceeding 410 kg and an engine capacity not greater than 50cc.
SPEED RATING
Speed Category |
Correspon |
ding Speed |
Symbol |
km/h |
mph |
A1 |
5 |
3 |
A2 |
10 |
6 |
A3 |
15 |
9 |
A4 |
20 |
13 |
A5 |
25 |
16 |
A6 |
30 |
19 |
A7 |
35 |
22 |
A8 |
40 |
25 |
B |
50 |
31 |
C |
60 |
38 |
D |
65 |
41 |
E |
70 |
44 |
F |
80 |
50 |
G |
90 |
56 |
J |
100 |
62 |
K |
110 |
68 |
L |
120 |
75 |
M |
130 |
81 |
N |
140 |
87 |
P |
150 |
93 |
Q |
160 |
99 |
R |
170 |
106 |
S |
180 |
112 |
T |
190 |
118 |
U |
200 |
124 |
H |
210 |
130 |
V |
240 |
149 |
W |
270 |
168 |
Y |
300 |
186 |
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
The inspection of the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning lamp only applies to passenger vehicles first used on or after 1 November 2014 with four wheels and no more than 8 passenger seats excluding the driver.
Note: Quadricycles and vehicles issued with a Department’s Approval Certificate (IVA), do not require TPMS to be fitted
The warning lamp (as below) will generally illuminate and go off again when the ignition is switched on. If one or more tyre pressures are low, the lamp will remain illuminated.
In the event of a system malfunction, the lamp will flash a number of times and then remain on.
Vehicles must only be rejected if it is clear that the lamp indicates a system malfunction.
METHOD OF INSPECTION
A. TYPE OF STRUCTURE
On all the tyres fitted, check the
- Nominal size and aspect ratio.
Note:
It cannot be assumed that there is a difference in the nominal sizes of tyres because either twin wheel is not in contact with the ground.
Note:
A vehicle tyre which appears to be of inadequate size, ply or speed rating for the vehicle or its use is not a reason for rejection. However, the vehicle presenter should be informed.
- Type of structure, i.e., bias-belted, cross-ply or radial.
Note:
Steel and fabric radial-ply tyres are to be regarded as the same structure type.
B. LOAD INDEX AND SPEED RATING
1.
a. Check for a load index (of ply rating and tyre size) marked on at least one sidewall of each tyre. (See pages for the identification of tyre load index. Ply rating and tyre size).
Note:
A tyre not marked with a load index or ply rating is assumed to have the lowest ‘load capacity’ of its size.
b. Check the load index is adequate for the maximum laden weight of the axle. (where known)
2. Check for a speed rating letter marked on the sidewall of each tyre.
C. CONDITION OF TYRES
- Examine each tyre for:
-
- Cuts,
-
- Lumps, bulges, tears, exposure to the ply or cord, or tread separation.
Note:
On radial ply tyres care should be taken to distinguish between normal undulations in the carcass, resulting from manufacturing, and lumps or bulges caused by structural deterioration.
-
- Recut tread,
-
- Incorrect seating in the wheel rim,
-
- Valve condition and alignment,
-
- Correct fitting,
-
- Under-inflation.
Note:
Under-inflation of a tyre is not in itself a reason for rejection.
However,
-
-
- A brake test might be inadvisable, because of possible damage, or
-
-
-
- A headlight test might be affected, if the underinflation is affecting alignment.
-
- Check tyres for fouling a part of the vehicle.
- Check tyres on twin wheels for wall contact.
D. BREADTH AND DEPTH OF TREAD
1.6 MM TREAD DEPTH
• Check the tread pattern over the complete circumference of the tyre. Check also that the tread depth meets the requirements using, as necessary a depth gauge accepted for testing.
1.0 MM TREAD DEPTH
• Check the tread pattern over the complete circumference of the tyre. Check also that the tread depth meets the requirements using, as necessary, a depth gauge accepted for testing.
VISABLE ONLY TREAD DEPTH
• Check that the tread pattern is visible over the complete circumference of the tyre.
E. DIRECTIONAL TYRES
A directional tyre fitted to vehicles (with the exception of motorcycles) in the opposite direction is not a reason for failure. If a vehicle arrives for the annual inspection with a tyre fitted in the opposite direction the examiner should inform the customer that the tyre has been fitted in the wrong direction and they should have the tyre refitted correctly as soon as possible.
F. TYRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
On vehicles first used on or after 1 November 2014 fitted with a tyre pressure monitoring system, check that the warning lamp is operative and does not indicate a system malfunction.
Note: This inspection does not apply to quadricycles or vehicle that have been issued with a Department’s Approval Certificate (IVA).
REASON FOR REJECTION
Deficiency Category
A. TYPE OF STRUCTURE
1. One tyre is of a different nominal size or aspect ratio to MAJOR any other on the same axle.
Note:
Tyres with aspect ratios of 80% and 82% are almost identical
in size and can be safely mixed in any configuration on a vehicle. Where this is done, Reason for Rejection 1 does not apply.
In all other cases of mixed aspect ratios on the same axle,
rejection is justified (except where one temporary spare wheel* or space saver is used in an emergency. Where a temporary spare wheel or space saver is used, this should be recorded as an advisory defect).
*Temporary spare wheel A temporary spare tyre must have a speed category at least equal to 120
km/h (speed category symbol L). When fitted to the vehicle for temporary use the outward facing surface of the wheel must exhibit a distinctive colour or colour pattern which is clearly different from the colour(s) of the normal units. If it is possible to attach a wheel cover to the temporary-use spare unit the distinctive colour or colour pattern must not be obscured by this wheel cover. A maximum speed warning symbol must be permanently displayed on the outer face of the wheel in a prominent position
2.
a. One tyre is of a different type of structure from MAJOR another tyre on the same axle.
b. A 3 or 4 wheeled vehicle fitted with single wheels, and
-
- A cross-ply tyre or bias-belted tyre fitted on MAJOR
rear axle and radial-ply tyre is fitted on front axle, or
-
- A cross-ply tyre fitted on rear axle and bias- MAJOR belted tyre fitted on rear axle.
Note:
Any tyre ‘type’ mix between different axles is acceptable for vehicles that have
• 2 axle and ‘twin’ wheels on the rear axle • 3 axle, one steering and one driving.
Note:
This does not apply to vehicles with an axle fitted with ‘super
single’ tyres having a road contact area at least 300 mm
wide.
- a tyre of a different type of structure is fitted to a MAJOR
steerable axle from that fitted to another steerable axle
- In the case of non-steerable axles a tyre fitted to a MAJOR
driven axle is of a different type of structure from that fitted to another driven axle.
B. LOAD INDEX AND SPEED RATIOS
1.
- a tyre not marked with its size on at least one MAJOR sidewall.
- A tyre that has a load index (or ply rating and tyre DANGEROUS
size) that is inadequate for the permitted maximum laden weight of the axle to which it is fitted. (See pages for the determination of tyre load capacity).
- A tyre marked with one of the following speed DANGEROUS
rating letters: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J or K are not acceptable, however they would be acceptable in the case of a Quadricycle where the speed rating on the tyre is suitable for the maximum design speed as declared by the applicant (this may be a lower speed than the national speed limit).
Note: Some tyres are not marked with a speed rating and the absence of such a mark is not a reason for rejection.
C. CONDITION OF TYRES
1.
a. A tyre has a cut the length of which is at least 25 DANGEROUS
mm or 10% of section width, whichever is greater, deep enough to reach the ply or cords.
b. A tyre has:
- a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or DANGEROUS
partial failure of its structure. This includes any lifting of the tread rubber.
- Any of its ply or cord exposed DANGEROUS
Note:
Bulges resulting from satisfactory repair in the sidewall or
shoulder of a tyre should be accepted provided the height of the bulge does not exceed 5 mm.
- A re-cut tyre fitted to a vehicle not permitted to be MAJOR
so equipped,
- A tyre incorrectly seated on the wheel rim, DANGEROUS
- A seriously damaged or misaligned valve stem DANGEROUS which could cause sudden deflation of the tyre.
- A tyre not fitted in compliance with the MAJOR
manufacturer’s sidewall instruction, e.g., an asymmetric with a sidewall marked ‘outer’ fitted with the marking to the inner side of the wheel.
- A deflated tyre MAJOR
- A tyre which is underinflated MINOR
- a tyre marked ‘NHS’, ‘Not for Highway use’ or DANGEROUS
similar
Note: Direction of rotation may be indicated by an arrow
and/or words, but an arrow by itself should not be taken to indicate direction of rotation.
- A tyre fouling a part of the vehicle. MAJOR
Note:
This does not apply to vehicles designed to permit tyre
contact with the chassis or frame e.g., steering lock stop function.
- Tyres on twin wheels making wall contact due to under- MAJOR inflation or incorrect fitment.
Note:
Some tyres, e.g., radial ply tyres, with flexible side walls may touch under load. Wall contact in these circumstances is not a reason for rejection.
D. BREADTH AND DEPTH OF TREAD
1. The grooves of the tread pattern are not at least 1.6 mm throughout a continuous band comprising:
• The central three-quarters of the breadth of tread, DANGEROUS and
• Round the entire outer circumference of the tyre. |
DANGEROUS |
|
|
Note: |
|
Each side of the central band of the tyre can be devoid of tread (i.e., bald and still meet the pass standard although in practice such tyre wear is unlikely to occur. See diagram overleaf. |
|
|
|
2. A tyre with a tread pattern. |
|
|
|
a. Not visible over the whole tread area, and |
DANGEROUS |
|
|
b. The depth of which is not at least 1 mm through a single band: |
|
|
|
• round the entire outer circumference of the tyre, |
DANGEROUS |
|
|
• of at least three-quarters of the breadth of tread. |
DANGEROUS |
|
|
Note: |
|
The 1.0 mm tread depth requirement applies to the whole tread width if the original tread pattern did not extend beyond three-quarters of the tyre tread width when new. |
|
E. TYRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
A tyre pressure monitoring system warning lamp:
- inoperative where required MAJOR
- indicating a system malfunction. MINOR
TYRE SIZE, PLY RATING AND LOAD INDEX TABLES
HOW TO USE THIS TABLE:
- Locate the line entry corresponding to the size and ply rating or load index marked on the tyre sidewall.
- Read off the maximum axle load (kg) for these tyres in ‘SINGLE’ or ‘TWIN’ formation, as appropriate.
- These tables show the maximum axle load for tyres in single and dual (twin) formation. If a tyre has only one load index marked then that index refers to use in single formation. Such tyres can be used in dual formation by applying the following formula:
Max load in dual formation = Max load shown for single x 1.91
TABLE
Nominal Tyre Size |
Ply Rating |
Load Index |
Maximum Axle Load (Kg) |
|
Single Tyres |
Twin Tyres |
|||
145-13C 145-13C |
6 8 |
83/81 88/86 |
970 1120 |
1840 2120 |
560-13C |
6 |
- |
1020 |
1940 |
590-13C |
6 |
- |
1070 |
2090 |
640-13C 640-13C |
6 8 |
- - |
1280 1430 |
2240 2750 |
670-13 670-13C 670-13 670-13C |
- 6 - 8 |
94/93 - 99/98 - |
1340 1380 1550 1580 |
2600 2650 3000 3050 |
155-14C |
6 |
- |
1070 |
2040 |
175-14 175-14C 175-14C |
- 6 8 |
96/94 - 99/98 |
1420 1430 1550 |
2680 2680 3000 |
185-14 185-14 185-14 185-14C 185-14C |
RADIAL REINFORCED RAD REINFORCED 4PL 6 8 |
- - 94 99/97 102/100 |
1200 1340 1340 1550 1770 |
2300 2560 2560 2920 3200 |
195-14 195-14C 195-14C |
- 6 8 |
105/103 - 109/107 |
1850 1850 2060 |
3500 3510 3900 |
215-14C |
8 |
112-110 |
2240 |
4240 |
590-14C |
6 |
- |
1170 |
2240 |
600-14C |
8 |
92/90 |
1260 |
2400 |
640-14C |
6 |
- |
1330 |
2550 |
650-14 650-14C 650-14C |
4 6 8 |
- 93/91 - |
970 1300 1500 |
1860 2460 2840 |
670-14C 670-14 670-14C |
6 - 8 |
- 101/99 - |
1430 1650 1680 |
2750 3100 3160 |
700-14C 700-14 700-14C |
4 - 6 |
- 94/93 - |
1070 1340 1380 |
2050 2600 2650 |
750-14 750-14 750-14C 750-14 750-14C |
4 - 6 - 8 |
- 98/96 - 102/101 - |
1200 1500 1530 1700 1730 |
2300 2840 2950 3300 3360 |
175/75-14 |
- |
98/99 |
1550 |
3000 |
185/75-14 |
- |
102/100 |
1700 |
3200 |
195/75-14 |
- |
106/104 |
1900 |
3600 |
Nominal Tyre Size |
Ply Rating |
Load Index |
Maximum Axle Load (Kg) |
|
Single Tyres |
Twin Tyres |
|||
205/75-14 |
- |
109/107 |
2060 |
3900 |
215/75-14 |
- |
112/110 |
2240 |
4240 |
145-15C |
8 |
91/98 |
1230 |
2320 |
185-15C |
8 |
103/102 |
1750 |
3400 |
590-15C |
6 |
- |
122- |
2340 |
640-15C |
6 |
- |
1380 |
2650 |
670-15 670-15C 670-15 670-15C 670-15 |
- 6 - 8 10 |
98/96 - 103/102 - 108/107 |
1500 1530 1750 1780 2000 |
2840 2900 3400 3460 3900 |
700-15C 700-15C 700-15C 700-15 |
6 - 8 10 |
- 103/102 - - |
1750 1750 1940 2440 |
3400 3400 3760 4580 |
750-15C 750-15C 750-15 750-15 |
6 8 10 12 |
- - - - |
1830 2060 2340 2750 |
3560 3970 4370 5340 |
255/75-15 |
- |
118/116 |
2640 |
5000 |
175-16C 175-16C |
6 8 |
98/96 101/99 |
1500 1650 |
2840 3100 |
185-16C |
8 |
104/102 |
1800 |
3400 |
195-16C |
8 |
107/105 |
1950 |
3700 |
205-16 205-16C 205-16C |
- 6 8 |
106/104 - 110/108 |
1900 1900 2120 |
3600 3610 4000 |
215-16C 215-16C |
6 8 |
110/108 113/111 |
2120 2300 |
4000 4360 |
600-16 600-16 600-16 600-16 600-16 |
- 6 8 - 10 & RADIAL |
95/92 - - 103/101 - |
1380 1380 1530 1750 1830 |
2520 2550 2920 3300 3300 |
650-16 650-16 650-16 650-16 650-16 650-16 |
- 6 - 8 - 10 & RADIAL |
98/97 - 104/102 - 108/107 - |
1500 1530 1800 1830 2000 2040 |
2920 2920 3400 3460 3900 3900 |
700-16 700-16 700-16 700-16 700-16 700-16 |
- 6 - 8 - 10 |
102/100 - 108/106 - 113/112 - |
1700 1730 2000 2040 2300 2340 |
3200 3260 3800 3870 4480 4480 |
Nominal Tyre Size |
Ply Rating |
Load Index |
Maximum Axle Load (Kg) |
|
Single Tyres |
Twin Tyres |
|||
700-16 700-16 |
- 12 & RADIAL |
117/116 - |
2570 2650 |
5000 5000 |
750-16 750-16 750-16 750-16 750-16 750-16 750-16 750-16 |
- 6 - 8 & RADIAL 10 - 12 & RADIAL - |
108/106 - 112/110 - - 116/114 - 121/120 |
2000 2040 2240 2240 2500 2500 2900 2900 |
3800 3870 4240 4270 4720 4720 5600 5600 |
825-16 825-16 |
8 10 |
- - |
2650 2850 |
4880 5440 |
900-16 900-16 900-16 900-16 900-16 |
6 - 8 - 10 |
- 114/111 - 119/117 - |
2340 2360 2720 2720 3050 |
4370 4360 5140 5140 5600 |
175/75-16 |
- |
101/99 |
1650 |
3100 |
185/75-16 |
- |
104/102 |
1800 |
3400 |
195/75-16 195/75-16 |
- - |
104/102 107/105 |
1800 1950 |
3400 3700 |
205/75-16 |
- |
110/108 |
2120 |
4000 |
215/75-16 |
- |
113/111 |
2300 |
4360 |
225/75-16 225/75-16 |
- - |
116/114 118/116 |
2500 2640 |
4720 5000 |
The tyre load index table below shows the maximum axle load for tyres in single and dual (twin) formation that may not be listed in the Size-Load table.
Load Index |
Single Kg |
Single lbs |
Dual Kg |
Dual lbs |
70 |
670 |
1474 |
1340 |
2948 |
71 |
690 |
1518 |
1380 |
3036 |
72 |
710 |
1562 |
1420 |
3124 |
73 |
730 |
1606 |
1460 |
3212 |
74 |
750 |
1650 |
1500 |
3300 |
75 |
774 |
1703 |
1548 |
3405 |
76 |
800 |
1760 |
1600 |
3520 |
77 |
824 |
1813 |
1648 |
3625 |
78 |
850 |
1870 |
1700 |
3740 |
79 |
874 |
1923 |
1748 |
3845 |
80 |
900 |
1980 |
1800 |
3960 |
81 |
924 |
2033 |
1848 |
4065 |
82 |
950 |
2090 |
1900 |
4180 |
83 |
974 |
2143 |
1948 |
4285 |
84 |
1000 |
2200 |
2000 |
4400 |
85 |
1030 |
2266 |
2060 |
4532 |
86 |
1060 |
2332 |
2120 |
4664 |
87 |
1090 |
2398 |
2180 |
4796 |
88 |
1120 |
2464 |
2240 |
4928 |
89 |
1160 |
2552 |
2320 |
5104 |
90 |
1200 |
2640 |
2400 |
5280 |
91 |
1230 |
2706 |
2460 |
5412 |
92 |
1260 |
2750 |
2520 |
5544 |
93 |
1300 |
2860 |
2600 |
5720 |
94 |
1340 |
2948 |
2680 |
5896 |
95 |
1380 |
3036 |
2760 |
6072 |
96 |
1420 |
3124 |
2840 |
6248 |
97 |
1460 |
3212 |
2920 |
6424 |
98 |
1500 |
3300 |
3000 |
6600 |
99 |
1550 |
3410 |
3100 |
6820 |
100 |
1600 |
3520 |
3200 |
7040 |
101 |
1650 |
3630 |
3300 |
7260 |
102 |
1700 |
3740 |
3400 |
7480 |
103 |
1750 |
3850 |
3500 |
7700 |
104 |
1800 |
3960 |
3600 |
7920 |
105 |
1850 |
4070 |
3700 |
8140 |
106 |
1900 |
4180 |
3800 |
8360 |
107 |
1950 |
4290 |
3900 |
8580 |
108 |
2000 |
4400 |
4000 |
8800 |
109 |
2060 |
4532 |
4120 |
9064 |
110 |
2120 |
4664 |
4240 |
9328 |
111 |
2180 |
4796 |
4360 |
9592 |
112 |
2240 |
4928 |
4480 |
9856 |
113 |
2300 |
5060 |
4600 |
10120 |
114 |
2360 |
5192 |
4720 |
10384 |
115 |
2430 |
5346 |
4860 |
10692 |
116 |
2500 |
5500 |
5000 |
11000 |
117 |
2570 |
5654 |
5140 |
11308 |
118 |
2640 |
5808 |
5280 |
11616 |
119 |
2720 |
5984 |
5440 |
11968 |
120 |
2800 |
6160 |
5600 |
12320 |
121 |
2900 |
6380 |
5800 |
12760 |
122 |
3000 |
6600 |
6000 |
13200 |