There are a number of tell-tale signs that indicate that it’s time to replace your tyres. Cracking, rubber deformities, repeated repairs, visible steel cords, bead damage, uneven wear and, of course, low tread depth are commonly associated with tyre replacement. For owners of classic or performance vehicles that don’t hit the road as often however, the age of the tyre is a vital consideration.

Whilst there is no hard and fast rule on the age that a tyre should be replaced – even if it isn’t affected by the tell-tale issues mentioned above – how old a tyre is can affect its safety. In this blog post, we take a closer look at why the age of your tyre isn’t just a number but a benchmark for replacement or repair.

How your vehicle’s tyres age

Tyres don’t last forever. Like any other component found on a vehicle, tyres - even those found on cars that don’t do many miles per year that sit above the legal tread depth and therefore seem perfectly fine – become weaker, less reliable and unsafe over time.

There is a long list of factors that affect the life of a tyre and accelerate the aging process. These include the level of maintenance you undertake, the speed you drive, the temperature of the roads you drive on, the loads you carry, your overall driving style, and even the conditions of the storage you use to stow away your pride and joy.

Over time, the materials that your tyres are made from become weaker, leaving them more susceptible to damage, such as cracking and uneven wear.

A word about the 10-year rule

As a rule of thumb, any tyre should be removed once it is 10 years old, whether they look brand new or have sustained limited mileage and/or wear. This doesn’t mean you can wait until 10 years have elapsed to go ahead with replacement however.

Make tyre checks a part of your maintenance regime to ensure your tyres are as safe as they should be. Keep your eyes peeled for visible damage, air loss or performance changes to ensure their age isn’t affecting their condition.

How to check the age of your tyres

The age of your tyres can be determined by the 10- to 12-digit serial number on their side wall. This number tends to begin with ‘DOT’. The numbers found at the end of this sequence specify the age of the tyre, with the week of the year and last two digits of the year indicating the time of manufacture.

Note the age of your tyres and check their condition regularly to stay safe on the road.