A tyre's age is recorded on its own sidewall, in the DOT date code. Because rubber ages over time even when a tyre looks barely used, knowing how old a tyre is matters as much as how much tread is left. The last four digits of the DOT code give the answer.
Reading the date code
The date is the last four digits of the DOT code:
- The first two digits are the week of the year, from 01 to 52 or 53
- The last two digits are the year
So a code ending 3623 means the tyre was manufactured in the 36th week of 2023. A code ending 0521 means the fifth week of 2021. It is that simple once the four digits are located.
Tyres made before the year 2000 used a three-digit code, but those are long past any sensible service life, so in practice every tyre on the road today uses the four-digit format.
Where to find it
The date code sits at the end of the DOT marking moulded into the sidewall, a sequence beginning with the letters DOT, followed by a series of characters identifying the plant and the tyre, and finishing with the four-digit date, often set inside a small oval or box.
One quirk catches people out: the full code, including the date, may appear on only one side of the tyre. If only a partial code is visible on the outer sidewall, the complete version with the date is usually on the inner side, which may mean looking under the car or turning the wheel.
Why a tyre's age matters
Tyres degrade with time, not just use. The rubber slowly hardens and the structure weakens through exposure to heat, sunlight, oxygen and the simple passage of years. An old tyre with plenty of tread can still be unsafe, because aged rubber grips less and is more prone to cracking and sudden failure. This is why the spare deserves a check too; it can be the oldest tyre on the car.
Age guidance and the law
For everyday cars and vans there is no legal age limit on tyres in the UK. The widely accepted guidance is to have tyres inspected more closely once they pass around five to six years, and to consider replacing them by about ten years regardless of remaining tread.
The law is stricter for larger vehicles. Since February 2021, it has been illegal in Great Britain to fit tyres older than ten years to the front steered axles of HGVs, buses, coaches and minibuses, and to all single wheels of minibuses. The date code is how that age is confirmed.
What to look for alongside age
Age is one half of the picture; tread and condition are the other. Even within its years, a tyre should be checked for adequate tread against the tread wear indicators, and for any cracking, bulges or damage. A tyre that is both worn and old is a clear case for replacement, and a fresh set is easy to order online from somewhere like Tyres.co.uk when that time comes.
Record age alongside condition
Photograph the date code when the tyre is accessible and keep it with your maintenance records. A recent fitting date does not establish a recent manufacturing date. Conversely, a tyre is not automatically unserviceable just because it was made before the year of purchase. Storage, use and inspection matter. If the date is unreadable, appears altered or seems inconsistent with the tyre, ask a professional to examine it rather than estimating age from tread depth.
Common questions
How do I check how old my tyres are?+
Look for the DOT code on the sidewall and read the last four digits. The first two are the week and the last two are the year the tyre was made. For example, 3623 means the tyre was made in the 36th week of 2023.
Where is the date code on a tyre?+
It is the four-digit number at the end of the DOT code moulded into the sidewall, often inside a small oval. The full code may appear on only one side of the tyre, so it is sometimes necessary to check the inner sidewall.
How old is too old for a tyre?+
There is no general legal age limit for car tyres in the UK, but many manufacturers and safety bodies advise having tyres checked once they pass about five to six years and replacing them by around ten years, regardless of tread, because rubber ages even when unused.
Is there a legal age limit for tyres in the UK?+
For cars and vans, no. Since February 2021, however, it is illegal in Great Britain to fit tyres older than ten years to the front steered axles of HGVs, buses, coaches and minibuses, and on all single wheels of minibuses.