When should you replace your tyres? Tread, age & damage
Are your tyres still safe and legal, or is it time for new ones? The legal minimum in the Netherlands is 1.6 mm of tread depth, but your grip on a wet road drops well before that point. This guide explains when you should replace your tyres — based on tread depth, the age of the rubber and visible damage — and how to check it yourself in a minute. AutoJet in Almere does a free tyre check and tells you honestly whether you can keep driving or not. If replacement is needed, you see the price up front by license plate. Open Mon–Sat 11:00–20:00.
The legal minimum and the safe advice
In the Netherlands the minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm — drive with less and your tyres are illegal, risking a fine and an APK (Dutch MOT) failure. But 1.6 mm is an absolute floor, not a safe value. Your grip on a wet road — and therefore your braking distance — already drops noticeably well before you reach that minimum.
Our honest advice: start thinking about replacement in good time, from around 3 mm, and don't put it off at all for winter tyres. That way you keep enough grip in rain and on slippery roads, instead of waiting until you're legally 'just barely' not failed.
How do you check your tyres yourself?
You don't need to be a mechanic to see whether your tyres are due for replacement. Three simple checks:
- Tread wear indicators (wear bars) — small raised ribs sit in the grooves of your tyre. If the tread is level with those ribs, you're at 1.6 mm and the tyre needs to come off.
- The €2 coin test — push a €2 coin into the groove. If the silver rim disappears into the tread, you've got plenty left; if you can see the whole rim, it's time for a check.
- Uneven wear — is your tyre worn only on the inside or outside edge, or in patches? That often points to incorrect alignment or a suspension issue, not just age.
Not sure about the measurement? At AutoJet we measure your tread for free and show you exactly where you stand.
Beyond tread: age and damage
Even a tyre with enough tread can be due for replacement. Rubber ages and hardens, which reduces grip — usually noticeable after about 6 to 10 years. You read the production date from the DOT code on the sidewall: the last four digits give the week and year (e.g. '2519' = week 25 of 2019).
Also watch for visible damage, because it makes a tyre unreliable regardless of tread depth:
- Cracks in the sidewall rubber.
- Bulges or blisters — a bulge means internal damage; that tyre must come off immediately.
- Repeated punctures or a repair too close to the sidewall.
What does it cost at AutoJet?
The tyre check is free — we measure your tread, look at age and damage and tell you honestly whether you can keep going. New tyres are always on request, because the price depends on your brand and size. The fitting and related prices are below, and you get the exact price up front by license plate:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Tyre check / tread measurement free | €0 |
| Swap / mount 4 tyres | €100 |
| Balancing | €36 |
| Puncture repair | €22 |
| New tyres | on request |
The price of new tyres depends on brand and size — enter your license plate and we'll give you a clear price up front. You never pay for work you haven't approved in advance.
How AutoJet helps: free check and honest advice
Not sure whether your tyres are still safe? At AutoJet in Almere we do a free tyre check: we measure the tread, look at the age and at damage, and tell you honestly whether you can still drive on them or not — with no obligation.
If replacement is needed, we mount and balance your new tyres, and repair a puncture where it can be done safely. New tyres are on request: enter your license plate and you'll get a clear price up front for your size. We speak Ukrainian, Russian and English — handy if Dutch isn't your first language.
See also: Tyres in Almere · Blog
Frequently asked questions about replacing tyres
What is the minimum tread depth in the Netherlands?
The legal minimum is 1.6 mm. Drive with less and your tyres are illegal, risking a fine and an APK (Dutch MOT) failure. For safe grip on a wet road, however, we advise thinking about replacement already from around 3 mm.
How do I check my tread depth myself?
Look at the tread wear indicators (small ribs in the grooves): if your tread is level with them, you're at 1.6 mm. Or do the €2 coin test: if the silver rim disappears into the groove, you're fine. At AutoJet we measure your tread for free.
Should I replace tyres because of their age, even with enough tread?
Yes, you can. Rubber hardens over time and loses grip, usually noticeable after 6 to 10 years. You read the production date from the DOT code on the sidewall (the last four digits = week and year). If in doubt, we'll check it for you.
Is a bulge or crack in my tyre dangerous?
Yes. A bulge points to internal damage and that tyre must come off immediately, regardless of tread depth. Cracks in the sidewall and repeated punctures also make a tyre unreliable. If in doubt, have it checked for free at AutoJet in Almere.
What does mounting and balancing tyres cost at AutoJet?
Swapping or mounting 4 tyres costs €100 and balancing €36. We repair a puncture for €22. The tyre check is free. New tyres are on request, because the price depends on brand and size — you see it up front by license plate.
Do you really check my tyres for free?
Yes, the tyre check and tread measurement are free and with no obligation. We measure the tread, look at age and damage and tell you honestly whether you can keep driving. If replacement is needed, you get a clear price up front by license plate and you decide.
Not sure about your tyres? Get them checked for free.
Free tyre check · mounting €100 · balancing €36 · new tyres on request