Does a Spare Tyre Need to Be Legal to Pass an MOT

Some drivers think that all tyres on a car are tested as part of the MOT, including the spare tyre that is kept in the boot. However, the UK MOT rules are different when it comes to spares and road wheels fitted to the vehicle. By knowing these rules, motorists can prevent confusion during inspections and also make their vehicles safe and legal on the road.

In most cases, a spare tyre will not impact the MOT result, but it is important for the safety of the car and the legal requirement for it to be on the road.

MOT Tyre Rules

Tyres fitted at the time of the MOT test must comply with the legal requirements. The tyre tests are conducted for tread depth, sidewall condition, tyre size compatibility and overall safety. If a tyre has significant damage, wear or is fitted incorrectly, it can result in an MOT failure.

In the UK, the Minimum Tread Depth for Tyres is:

• The central three-quarters of the tread is 1.6 mm wide.
• The tyre's profile is evenly and uniformly worn around its circumference.
• None of the cords are exposed or damaged. 
• Correct inflation and fitting.

Failure of any road tyre to meet these standards will cause the vehicle to fail the MOT test.

Spare Tyre Position

Many spares are not checked as part of a normal MOT, as they are not road wheels unless fitted to the vehicle. Spares stored in the boot, under the chassis, or in a storage compartment do not fall under the general MOT rules.

This means that a vehicle can pass an MOT even if the spare tyre is worn, damaged or even missing.

There are a few important things to note, though, where the spare tyre might be useful during testing.

 When Spare Tyres Matter

Some vehicle configurations could mean that the MOT gives some attention to the spare tyre. This is normally the case when the spare tyre is attached to the outside of the car or is used as one of the running wheels.

The spare tyre might be important in some situations, such as:

•  Permanently fitted spare tyres on the outside of the vehicle
•  Roadless vehicles with the spare wheel in place as a normal road wheel
•  Overhangs blocking viewpoints and/or number plates
•  Loose spare tyres mounted to cause safety issues

In these instances, the safety of the tyre condition or mounting can be assessed as part of vehicle safety.

Temporary Spare Wheels

Modern cars don't always have spares in the way of a spare wheel; they have space-savers. These are emergency tyres for temporary use over short distances and are often speed and mileage-restricted.

A space-saver tyre fitted to the car during an MOT test must comply with legal tyre standards. The temporary spare will fail the test if it is damaged or has inadequate tread or unsafe wear when fitted to the vehicle.

Manufacturers may recommend changing temporary spare tyres after use or after a certain period of time, even if the tyres are still within the acceptable tread depth.

Safety Beyond MOT

Just because the vehicle passes the MOT does not mean that all parts in the vehicle are roadworthy. An out-of-shape spare tyre could be a safety hazard in the event of an emergency breakdown or roadside puncture and replacement.

A neglected spare tyre can lead to the following problems:

• Rubber cracking due to age
• Loss of pressure due to long storage time.
• Corrosion around the rim of the wheel
• Diminished handling because of the hard rubber compound.

The spare tyre is kept in optimal condition through regular checks. Drivers often cannot assess their tyres' condition for years without checking pressure and condition, which raises roadside risk.

Legal Driving Concerns

For the most part, a spare tyre in the car won't impact the MOT outcome; however, it should comply with legal requirements when fitted and used on public roads. If a spare tyre is faulty after a puncture, it could lead to fines, penalties and unsafe driving situations.

The police and roadside enforcement officers can impose penalties for the use of illegal tyres, even if the vehicle has just had an MOT.

This is why garages offering MOT in Northampton will recommend that you check the spare tyre, in addition to regular tyre checks. Preventative maintenance helps minimise the risk of emergency failures and enhances overall road safety.

Tyre Maintenance Tips

Maintaining tyres is not limited to the four main wheels. Spare tyres should be checked on a regular basis to ensure that they are safe and dependable in emergencies.

Here Are Some Recommended Spare Tyre Maintenance Tips:

•  Inspecting tyre pressure regularly (every few months)
• Checking for cracks and signs of damage.
•  Making sure the wheel nut kit is complete
• Ensuring the spare tyre is fitted correctly and is the correct size.

The following simple checks reduce the risk of unexpected issues when changing tyres at the side of the road.

Conclusion

If not used and properly stored, a spare tyre is not normally required to comply with the legal requirements for a vehicle to pass an MOT test. Tyres fitted on the road wheels at the time of the MOT inspection are the main focus of the MOT inspection. Any spare tyre on public roads, however, must still comply with legal requirements for tread and safety in the UK. Properly maintaining the spare tyre remains very important, as breakdowns and punctures can occur at any time, and an unsafe spare tyre may cause serious issues during a breakdown or puncture.

Although a spare tyre won't be an instant fail on an MOT test, it does have a role in keeping the roads safe. A correctly installed spare wheel can help drivers deal with unexpected punctures safely and legally. Regularly checking, testing and monitoring tyre condition helps mitigate risks on the road and keeps the vehicle ready for emergencies.

Some More Truths about MOT: Decode Them All!

MOT test, an acronym of Ministry of Transport test, is devised by the UK government for annual vehicle inspection. Each vehicle after the first three years of its usage needs to pass this litmus test because of the following reasons:

• ·         Vehicle safety
• ·         Road worthiness aspects
• ·         Exhaust emissions

So if you are living in the localities of Northampton, you are already acquainted with all the nitty-gritty regarding MOT test in Northampton.

However, recently the Government made significant tweaks in MOT test implying few strict laws for as a part of long-term betterment.

Here’s an overview of all the MOT changes issued on 20^th May 2018.

1. The first major change incorporated in this inspection is defects found in new MOT are categorised as dangerous, major and minor. To break this advisory category revamped by DVSA are as follows:

• A vehicle with a substantial amount of faults is likely to fall into the category of being dangerous. MoT marks this kind of automobiles immediately as illegal to be driven on public roads.

 One needs to rectify all the discrepancies of his car to get back to the road.

• For instance, the visible smoke of any colour coming from a commute is considered as a major fault. So, according to MoT, it will be a requirement to fix issues like this and retested before the car becomes roadworthy.

• Lastly, a minor fault is the one where a vehicle does not cause an immediate safety risk but needs a faster rectification to ply on the streets of the UK.

2.      Pre- 1978 cars are potentially MoT exempted from May 20^th. Therefore, if you own a classic car registered before May 20^th 1978, its’ a win-win situation for you. 

3.      However, certain other types of vehicles are not exempt, mostly the large commercial ones.

4.      Cars and motorbikes with a Q registration also need to undergo the test as defined by the DVLA.

5.      Another significant addition in the new rule is, to get an exemption from the MOT test Northampton a car owner needs to register as a Vehicle of Historic Interest (VHI).

6.      Guess what? The war on diesel vehicles is not going have an end any time soon. According to the new set of rules, if there’s evidence of diesel particulate filter (DPF) tampering along, the car will own a “major-fault” crown.

7.      Here’s no the endpoint. A lot many checks being introduced which follows:

• The mechanics will check whether your car tyres are under-inflated.

• The current condition of brake pad warning light including the discs.

• Reversing lights on vehicles will undergo an MOT in Northampton which is in usage from 1 September 2009.

• They will even consider a check for any vehicle’s brake fluid including its chance of leakage and contamination.

Hope these insights helped you to understand the insights of new MOT test rule. By the way, if your car is on the verge of completing the prior MoT test anniversary, put your van through a MoT test in Northampton.

Many reliable centres like Jacksons MOT Centre Northampton offer an MOT service to make your car sustainable for you and the environment.

Read The Ultimate Cheat Sheet for Ensuring a Cleared MOT Certificate for Your Vehicle