A tyre tread depth gauge can be picked up cheaply and is well worth bringing with you and measuring across the central three-quarters of the tyre. You’ll be checking both the wear and how even it is – uneven wear can point to alignment issues and other suspension problems.
To give you any idea of where the tyre is at in its life, the starting tread depth will generally have been about 8mm. Although the legal limit is 1.6mm, many experts recommend changing tyres when they reach 3mm.
If you don’t have a gauge, you can at the very least use the 20p method to ensure they’re legal – if you can see the outer band of the coin when slotted into the tyre groove, it’s not. Mind you, in this increasingly cash-free world you’re probably even less likely to have a 20p coin than a tread depth gauge, and in any case, most modern tyres have wear markers in the grooves. If these are level with the tread, it’s illegal.
There’s more to it than just tread. The sidewalls should be checked for any cuts, bulges, and exposed cords. Check the brand of the tyre, as well. Those aforementioned high costs of larger tyres make it tempting for owners to cheap out on budget brands, which we generally wouldn’t recommend sticking with, particularly on a car that’s heavy and/or high performance. Our tyre testing data shows that budget tyres will generally struggle much more than mid-range and premium options in wet conditions.
Paying too much
The used car market can be a minefield of wildly different prices. We’re not just talking about dealers charging more than private sellers. In fact, some private sellers will grossly overvalue their cars, or simply be trying their luck because they’re not in a hurry.
Make sure you do your research rather than just going for the first car you see for sale locally. Search nationally on different platforms to get a sense of how much cars on your shortlist are generally going for, and ensure you use our car valuation tool for a further steer on how much you should be paying.
When working out if a car is really worth it, you’ll need to pay close attention to its trim level, engine type, mileage, condition and any optional extras it might have.
Now you know how to avoid buying a problematic used car, find out the tips and tricks on getting a great deal…
