Do tyres have a shelf life?

Date stamps on tyres

Since the 1980's, tyres have had a date stamp added to the sidewalls so that you can see how old they are.

During the 80's it was a 3 digit code giving the week number and year of manufacture. So 218 would equal week 21 in 1988. When we got to the 90s and in order to differentiate, they added a triangle to the 3 digits, so 218 (followed by a triangle) would represent week 21 in 1998. It became much easier to remember from the year 2000 when a four digit code was used, so 2108 would represent week 21 in 2008, see below 3507 means the 35th week of 2007.

The service life of a tyre is usually measured by the amount of tread remaining; in the UK the legal limit is 1.6mm over ¾ of the tread all around the circumference. But we should also be looking at the date code as oxidisation is also a serious concern, and since tyres are made of rubber they degrade with age.

Most consumers in the UK do not know that the date code exists, a survey in 2006 showed that only 4% of drivers realised that tyres becomes more dangerous as they age. A large body of scientific evidence supports that most tyres should be replaced six years from the date they were manufactured. This six year expiration date begins from the day the tyre was made, not from the day it was sold and fitted to a vehicle.

Are your tyres older than you think? Check your tyres and if you're in doubt - call us!
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Tyres age dangerously because a chemical process commonly referred to as oxidisation occurs. This simply means that a tyres components are exposed to oxygen. The oxygen particles cause the flexible components of the tyre to harden and become brittle.

Over time, the tyre will fall apart under normal stress, just like an old rubber band. Because this process occurs naturally, it doesn't matter if a tyre is being used, stored as a spare, or waiting on a shelf in a tyre depot... the breakdown process has started from day one.

How old is too old for a tyre?

This is a subject of much debate within the tyre industry and no tyre expert can tell exactly how long a tyre will last. The results of experience of many tyre manufacturing companies including Bridgestone, warrant their tyres for 5 years from date of manufacture. Based on these understandings many vehicle manufacturers are now advising their customers to replace their tyres after 6 years, regardless of tread depth remaining.

Regardless of its age, any tyre should be replaced if it shows significant signs of crazing, or cracking within the tread grooves or on the sidewalls, or if there is any sign of bulging on the tread face or sidewalls. All tyres should be inspected on a regular basis. Do not wait for a yearly MOT or something to fail. If in doubt about a tyres suitability, please consult your local Hometyre representative we will gladly advise you.

The industry in which the age of a tyre is most prominent is the CARAVAN TYRE section. The Caravan Club advises that tyres on a caravan do not pass 5 years in age. This is because most caravan tyres will not be replaced due to worn tread but due to the dangers of age related cracking in the rubber.

The Age (and danger) of Part Worn Tyres

Age is another, in a long list, of reasons that at Hometyre we strongly oppose the sale of part worn tyres. Most of these are either accident recovered tyres (where the internal structural damage is not known), puncture damaged and removed from scrap piles, some have even been found to be 15-20 years old too have become brittle and dangerous. Without any current laws in the UK regarding age, part worn sellers can fit pretty much anything they like to your vehicle.

If you're concerned your tyres need replacing due to age, you can either call us on 03334445454 or order your new tyres online using our search box on the top right hand side of the page!