Simple '20p test' all drivers 'should do' during October

Tyres are arguably the most crucial part of any car, being the only piece that comes into contact with the road surface. October is Tyre Safety Month, and experts have offered some timely advice, suggesting three checks that drivers should carry out before the month ends - ideally before they next take to the road.

The tyre gurus at Blackcircles suggested these checks could help motorists dodge a fine or penalty points.

Tyre checks to conduct in October Low tread depth

Tyres with a tread depth below the legal requirement of 1.6mm are one of the most frequent errors made by motorists. Tyre treads prevent water and debris on the road from affecting the tyres' grip when the vehicle needs to stop.

• Gary Neville caught using phone while driving for FOURTH time
• Man City 115 charges latest - decision timeline, allegations explained, relegation threat

Anything below the legal requirement of 1.6mm increases the likelihood that water won't be able to channel through the tread, resulting in the vehicle having less grip on the road surface. The experts recommended a handy way to check your tyre tread depth is by using a 20p coin and placing it between the main grooves of the tyre.

If you can see the outer band of the coin, the tyre may have insufficient tread. It's always wise to check several spots around your tyre's circumference.

Damaged tyres

While many drivers regularly inspect their car's paintwork and interior, tyres often get neglected. It's not enough to only check the overall condition of a vehicle's tyres once a year during its MOT.

Tyres in frequent use will naturally experience wear and tear, and any lumps, cracks, or bulges that appear can increase the risk of the tyre failing to grip the road properly or, even worse, suffering a blowout.

Underinflated tyres

Underinflated tyres are a common issue, but many motorists aren't clued up on the hazards they present. A tell-tale sign of an underinflated tyre is sagging sides.

This means the tyre grips the road more than it should, which hampers the vehicle's handling when cornering and heightens the risk of the driver losing control.

Learning how to check tyre pressure is straightforward and quick. Start by removing the dust cap from the valve, then attach a pressure gauge to the end of the valve.

Once you've done this, the gauge's digital display will show the tyre's pressure, letting you know if it needs inflating. You can find the recommended PSI for your vehicle's tyres in the handbook.

James Harding, a tyre specialist with 15 years of experience at Blackcircles, said: "Data published by Road Safety GB revealed that there are around six million illegal tyres in operation across the UK. Worryingly, many motorists don't regularly check the condition of their vehicle's tyres and are unaware of the consequences they could face if they're found to have illegal tyres.

"Having illegal tyres not only poses a risk to the driver of the vehicle but also to other motorists and pedestrians. If, for example, your car has a tread depth lower than the legal requirement, you are reducing the amount of grip the vehicle has on the road, increasing the chances of you being unable to come to a hard stop and potentially causing an accident.

"As well as posing harm to yourself and others, having illegal car tyres could also land you with a hefty fine and three penalty points on your licence. Motorists can be fined up to £2,500 per illegal tyre, so for motorists taking a chance with four illegal tyres, they could face a fine of up to £10,000.

"The consequences don't stop there; if an accident is caused and the tyres on your vehicle are deemed to be illegal, this could invalidate your insurance policy, which could add additional financial stress to your list of worries."