From unexpected punctures, to dangerously extended braking distances - many unpleasant scenarios can result from poorly maintained tyres. Learn what causes excessive or uneven tyre wear, how to spot the signs of wear, and how to prevent premature wear from happening in the first place.
Your tyres connect you and your vehicle to the road. If you don’t look after them, you could find yourself stranded by the roadside with a puncture or blow-out, or worse, involved in a collision because you couldn’t brake in time.
Yet despite the importance of keeping tyres in tip-top condition, according to a recent Uswitch survey, 37% of UK motorists admit that they do not know how to check their tyre tread depth.
Checking that tyres have sufficient tread depth (1.6mm) is just part of guaranteeing roadworthy radials; drivers also need to check for other patterns of wear which might suggest it's time to replace or rotate. A sizeable minority tend to neglect this critical aspect of monitoring their vehicle’s health.
MOT mindset: Missing the maintenance?
“But,” some drivers may argue, “my MOT will pick up any tyre problems.”
This is a common and perhaps understandable position. In reality, failure to keep an eye on the health of your tyres could mean you won’t spot recent damage or wear that could put you, your passengers, and other road users at risk.
After all, a lot can happen between MOTs, especially in the UK, where potholes are an ongoing issue because they can damage tyres and other vehicle components.
Let’s not forget that poorly-maintained tyres can also lead to reduced performance and not least, fuel economy, which, added to potential premature tyre replacement, can erode your bank balance.
Here we explore some of the most common causes of excessive or uneven tyre wear, how to spot certain types of damage, how to prevent damage from occurring in the first place, and how to maximise the lifespan of your tyres.
Common Causes of Uneven or Excessive Tyre Wear
1. Incorrect tyre pressure
Tyres that are overinflated or underinflated wear unevenly:
- Underinflated tyres wear more on the outer edges.
- Overinflated tyres wear more in the centre.
As well as causing uneven or excessive tyre wear, improper or incorrect pressure also affects fuel efficiency and handling. Check your tyre pressure regularly - especially ahead of long journeys.
2. Misaligned wheels
If your wheels aren’t aligned properly, tyres can wear in a feathered or diagonal pattern. This is often caused by hitting a kerb or pothole and can make the car pull to one side.
Signs of poor alignment:
- Uneven tyre wear
- Steering that feels off-centre
- Vibrations at certain speeds
A note on potholes
Striking a pothole can cause serious damage to tyres, potentially shortening their lifespan. If you hit a pothole, be sure to check your tyres as soon as it’s safe and practical. You should carry out similar checks if you strike a kerb.
It goes without saying that failure to check for damage could mean you’re driving a vehicle that is not as safe as it could be.
Pothole claim tip: If you think you’ve sustained significant damage after hitting a pothole, and you wish to make a claim against your insurance policy or the local council/highway authority, you should take photos of the pothole, and the damage to your car (but only if/when it is safe to do so).
Learn more about claiming for damage caused by potholes here.
3. Worn suspension components
Worn or damaged suspension parts - like shocks, struts, or ball joints - can lead to irregular tyre contact with the road. This can cause cupping or scalloped wear patterns, which also result in a bumpy ride.
In the medium and long term, your annual MOT should pick up any issues with your suspension components. However, if you notice you’re having a bumpier ride, or that your tyres are wearing in cupped or scalloped patterns, have your vehicle checked over by a mechanic.
Catching suspension problems early on might well save you money in the long run. By fixing/repairing any damaged components, you’ll prevent any knock-on effects on other parts, which would lead to further repair bills.
Additionally, catching issues ahead of time would help prevent any MOT retests, extend tyre lifespan, and improve fuel efficiency - all of which will reduce your outgoings.
4. Improper wheel balancing
An imbalanced wheel is one where the weight isn’t evenly distributed around the tyre and rim, making it wobble or vibrate when it spins.
If your wheels aren’t properly balanced, you may notice vibration at certain speeds. If left unchecked, this can result in spot wear on the tyre - small, uneven patches that reduce lifespan and comfort.
Your local garage or tyre specialist should be able to solve any tyre imbalance. First, they spin your tyres on a special machine, thereby diagnosing weight imbalances, before adding weights, and verifying results.
Properly balanced wheels/tyres should mean your tyres do not suffer from irregular wear patterns and should last longer. It should also help prolong the life of your vehicle’s suspension components.
5. Aggressive driving
Frequent hard braking, sharp cornering, or rapid acceleration are all bad practices - primarily because they increase the chances of losing control of your car and having a collision.
But aggressive driving is another excessive/uneven tyre wear cause, too, especially on the edges or shoulders of the tyre. With this in mind, driving smoothly can greatly extend the life of your tyres - and leave you with more money in your pocket.
6. Faulty or uneven brakes
A sticking brake calliper or uneven brake force across the axle can cause one tyre to wear more quickly than the others. These issues often result in a patchy wear pattern.
If you spot such a problem with your tyres, have your car checked over by a mechanic as soon as you can.
7. Incorrect tyre rotation
Front and rear tyres wear differently - especially on front-wheel-drive vehicles.
But in almost every case, front tyres wear out faster than rear ones to some degree, because they deal with steering and handle more braking force.
With this in mind it’s important to switch (rotate) the front tyres with the rear tyres. If tyres aren’t rotated regularly, you may end up with uneven wear patterns and reduced tyre lifespan.
However, before you rotate your tyres, you should consult your vehicle’s manual as this will provide specific recommendations for your car.
In short, rotating your tyres will save you money, time and hassle, while giving you a little more peace of mind that your tyres are in decent condition.
Top tip: Most manufacturers recommend rotating tyres every 6,000–8,000 miles.
Signs you might have a tyre wear problem
- Tyre tread is worn more on one side than the other
- Vibration or pulling while driving
- Frequent pressure loss
- Poor grip or longer stopping distances
- Visible bald spots or unusual patterns
How to prevent tyre wear
- Check tyre pressure monthly
- Have wheel alignment and balancing checked regularly
- Rotate your tyres on schedule
- Drive smoothly, and avoid potholes and ‘kerbing’
- Have your suspension checked during routine servicing
A note on uneven rear tyre wear causes
While your rear tyres generally wear out at a slower rate than the front tyres, they can - and will - wear out eventually. Various mechanical and driving-related factors impact how soon you'll need to replace your rear tyres.
Here are the most common uneven rear tyre wear causes:
- Misaligned wheels (rear wheel alignment)
If the rear toe or camber settings are off, tyres can wear more on the inner or outer edge. Often caused by hitting a pothole, curb, or suspension wear.
- Worn suspension components - e.g. worn bushings, control arms, or shocks.
- Incorrect tyre pressure - as with front tyres, this is a common cause of wear on rear tyres.
- Tyre imbalance or runout - patchy or scalloped wear on rear tyres.
- Driving habits - aggressive cornering, drifting, or heavy loads.
- Lack of tyre rotation - likely to cause uneven wear.
- Manufacturing defects or tyre quality - rare but possible.
Keeping eyes on your tyres: Conclusion
Uneven or excessive tyre wear isn’t just a nuisance - it’s a safety risk and quite possibly a financial drain. By keeping an eye on tyre condition and addressing small issues early, you can avoid bigger - and more costly - problems down the road, thereby getting the most out of every set.
