Polish law does not define what ‘old tyres’ actually means, which means that, in theory, we could drive on the roads even with tyres from the 1970s and not be fined for it. The question remains whether it is worth it. This is because tyres lose their properties as they age, which affects driving safety.
We usually replace tyres when the tread is almost completely worn out or the tyre carcass is damaged, without taking the tyre’s age into account. This is a mistake, because although tyre manufacturers claim they have a 20-year service life, this is by no means the period for which they are actually durable.
How can old tyres be reused?
Polish law does not specify a maximum age for tyres, so in theory we could drive on the roads even with tyres that are a hundred years old. Just because we can doesn’t mean we should. The rubber used to make tyres loses its properties over time – it hardens – which not only reduces grip on the road and increases braking distances, but also carries the risk of sudden cracking.
During checks, the police pay particular attention to the condition of the tyre tread and type-approval, as well as to any cracks that might affect driving safety. If your tyres are in poor condition, you could be fined between 100 and as much as 3,000 zlotys. However, none of these points contain any information on the age of the tyre, although it is quite possible that such a regulation will be introduced soon.
Tyres – how old can they be and still be in good condition?
Although manufacturers claim that their tyres can last for 20 years, in reality After just 10 years, tyres are considered to be worn out and should not be used for driving. Tyres like these are easily damaged and even tyre repair will send them for disposal.
However, the age of the tyres isn’t the only thing we should look out for when buying second-hand tyres. The tread and the overall condition of the tyres are very important. Some tyres are retreaded, and these are the ones you can buy from a tyre repairer, amongst other places.
It is also worth noting that the tyre repair shop does not sell damaged tyres – the second-hand tyres available there are suitable for normal driving.
How often should tyres be replaced with new ones?
The time at which a set of tyres should be replaced with a new one depends primarily on your driving style. Drivers who drive faster and brake more frequently wear out their tyres more quickly than those who drive smoothly and in accordance with the law.
It’s worth checking the condition of your tyres when you change them for the season – The tyre specialist will assess the condition of the tread and advise whether the tyre needs retreading or whether it is worth replacing it with a new one. However, if you notice that your tyre is approaching the end of its tenth year, it’s time to consider replacing it entirely. You’ll find the production year on the sidewall of the tyre – it’s a four-digit number that specifies the year and week of manufacture. For example, a tyre with the number 1234 was manufactured in 2012, in week 34 – according to this marking, it will be 13 years old in 2025, which means it should be replaced entirely, even if the tread is still in good condition.
Tyres are what connect the car to the road. Their condition affects not only grip but also braking distance. It’s not worth keeping tyres out of sentiment – it’s better to dispose of them and replace them with new ones.