Tyre age checker

Where to find the date code

Look on the sidewall for the letters DOT followed by a string of letters and numbers. The last four digits are the date code. It may only be on one side of the tyre, so check the inner sidewall too.

23 is the week of manufacture and 21 is the year, so this tyre was made in week 23 of 2021 (early June 2021). Tyres made before 2000 have a 3-digit code. For a retreaded tyre, the date code shows when it was retreaded.

How old is too old?

For cars and vans there is no legal age limit in the UK. The law looks at tread depth and condition instead. But rubber ages even when a tyre is not used, and the damage is not always visible. Common guidance from tyre makers and the trade is:

• Under 5 years: age is not a concern on its own.
• 5 years and over: have the tyre inspected by a professional at least once a year.
• 10 years and over: replace it, whatever the tread looks like. This includes spare tyres.

Check your vehicle handbook too. Some car makers recommend replacing tyres earlier, often at around 6 years.

The legal 10-year limit for heavy vehicles

Since 1 February 2021, tyres more than 10 years old are banned in England, Scotland and Wales on the front steered axles of lorries over 3.5 tonnes, buses and coaches, and on rear axles of these vehicles unless twin wheels are fitted. The date code must also stay legible on these vehicles. Historic vehicles not used commercially are exempt.

Signs a tyre needs replacing sooner

• Fine cracks in the sidewall or between the tread blocks
• Bulges, lumps or cuts
• The car has stood unused for months, or the tyre has been a spare for years
• Tread close to 1.6 mm (3 mm is a sensible point to start shopping)

Sources

• GOV.UK: Tyre age restrictions for goods vehicles, buses, coaches and minibuses
• The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, as amended in 2020

Rules and figures last checked: November 2026. Sources are listed above so you can check them yourself.