Quick NCT Query re: Tyres

Compudaro

Car (over!)due for NCT. Full service last month, mechanic advised that 4 new tyres were needed as he said the tread depth was almost down to the "mark".

How can I check to see if the tyres might pass the NCT right now? (or should I just change them?!)

Thanks in advance.

Avns1s

If they're "down to the mark" then you should change them regardless of the NCT!

GTE

Compudaro wrote: »

Car (over!)due for NCT. Full service last month, mechanic advised that 4 new tyres were needed as he said the tread depth was almost down to the "mark".

How can I check to see if the tyres might pass the NCT right now? (or should I just change them?!)

Thanks in advance.

Consult the rules of the road to confirm but I believe the minimum tread depth for tyres is 1.6mm.

So get a small ruler or a nail and measure the depth of all the treads on each tyre. Basically put something small enough into the tread and make note of how deep it is.

If you are at the mark like you said then you need to get the tyres changed quite soon, but if the NCT is tomorrow or a couple of days arrange for new tyres very soon after. Provided you have more then 1.6mm of tread depth.

Considering though you still havent changed them after a month from the service Id be worried you are well past ok to pass.

mk2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp2kpXnKL_Y

Run_to_da_hills

Depends on what mileage you have done in the last month, tyres generally wear quicker towards the end of their service lives, they are probably beyond that now. Bringing several warn tyres into a NCT is also not a good thing because they may think you are complacent with other things.

Compudaro

Thanks for all the advice, just checked - all 4 are close to the "mark" but none are flush with it yet. Should I still change them all? Thanks

itarumaa

well, you have to change the tyres anyway soon, so why not now, before the nct test,

and please buy something better than cheap chinese made budget tyres like Wanli or Sunny, not worth buying those.

TestTransmission

Compudaro wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice, just checked - all 4 are close to the "mark" but none are flush with it yet. Should I still change them all? Thanks

Change the tyres.Don't even think about it

Compudaro

Okay, will do! Where's the best place to get decently priced tyres in Dublin? (195 65 R15)

scotchannie

I was told the same by the garage that i needed three new tyres, but due to finances, i decided to put the car through the test. Although the nct tester did advise me that the tyres were close to the mark and would need to be changed he decided to pass the car

so not sure if you want to take the chance, if you can afford to change all four now then go ahead otherwise chance it....

TestTransmission

scotchannie wrote: »

I was told the same by the garage that i needed three new tyres, but due to finances, i decided to put the car through the test. Although the nct tester did advise me that the tyres were close to the mark and would need to be changed he decided to pass the car

so not sure if you want to take the chance, if you can afford to change all four now then go ahead otherwise chance it....

Chance what?As a previous poster already said,they should be changed,regardless of the NCT.

scotchannie

as stated if op can afford to change all four now then go ahead, otherwise i'd hold off and put car through nct, see if it passes if it does then happy days, then change the tyres when he/she can afford to ... just a suggestion...

cjt156

Compudaro wrote: »

Okay, will do! Where's the best place to get decently priced tyres in Dublin? (195 65 R15)

Check Eiretyres.com or camskill.co.uk for your size and factor in 10-15euros each for fitting. Buy a decent tyre as said, not the cheapest chinese cr@p on the list. Then see if your local can better the price - some may be able to.

Compudaro

Thanks to the advice here,I got 4 new tyres today! One final niggling problem. I noticed my dipped headlight bulb was blown (driver's side) so I bought and fitted a new 1 this evening. Problem is, I think the lights are misaligned now! Shining against a wall the horizontal line of the right bulb is a bit higher than the left.(opel astra H by the way). Is this normal? I moved the metal shade thing into which the tip of the bulb shines but I gave up after a while because I'm probably messing it up. Should I just go back to the guy I got the tyres from and get him to do it (he advertises a headlight aligning service) ?

scotchannie

yeah take the car back and get him to do it for you. but be aware that your other bulb might blow now also, as this happened to me, apparently you should replace the bulbs in pairs as the newer bulb will be taking all the power from the older bulb and cause it to blow also...

scotchannie

scotchannie wrote: »

then change the tyres when he/she can afford to ... just a suggestion...

They should be changed before the thread become below 1.6mm deep, affording tyres or not shouldn't be a factor, if they are below 1.6mm thread and you can't afford new ones then don't drive the car.