Tyres are one of the easiest things to check on a used car, and one of the most often skipped. In five minutes you can find out how old they are, whether they are legal, and whether the way they have worn points to a hidden alignment or suspension problem. A full set of new tyres is also a real cost, so it belongs in your price negotiation.
The quick version: find the four-digit date code on each tyre (for example, "2324" means week 23 of 2024), check the tread is well above the 1.6 mm legal minimum, and look for cracks, bulges and uneven wear. Here's how to do each step.
Tyre checks at a glance
- Age: read the four-digit date code on the sidewall. Many tyre makers advise replacement at somewhere between 6 and 10 years from manufacture, however good the tread looks.
- Tread depth: India's legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm. Apollo recommends replacing at 2.3 mm.
- Sidewalls: cracks mean ageing; a bulge is a safety risk; sidewall cuts can't be repaired.
- Wear pattern: uneven wear can point to wrong pressures, misalignment or worn suspension.
- Matching set and spare: same size on all four, matching tyres on each axle, and a spare that isn't ancient.
1. How to read a tyre's manufacturing date
Look on the sidewall for the letters "DOT" followed by a string of characters. The last four digits are the date. As Apollo Tyres explains, the first two digits are the week and the last two are the year, so "3421" means the 34th week of 2021.
Two practical tips:
- The code may be on the inside. Michelin India notes the marking "only appears on one side of the tyre", so turn the steering to full lock or use your phone camera to check the inner sidewall.
- Check all five tyres, including the spare. Different dates on different wheels tell you which tyres have been replaced, and when.
If a "lightly used" car has tyres made long before the car itself, or a nearly new car has a brand-new set on only one axle, ask why.
2. How old is too old?
Rubber ages even when a car isn't driven much, so low-mileage cars aren't safe from old tyres. Manufacturers' guidance differs:
- Michelin India recommends a professional check once a year after five years of use, and replacing tyres 10 years after manufacture, spare included (Michelin India).
- Apollo says car tyre expiry is "usually set at six years from the manufacture date".
A sensible approach for a used car: tyres over five years old deserve a close inspection, and tyres approaching the maker's limit should be priced in as a replacement.
3. Check the tread depth
India's Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 set the floor. Rule 94 says the tread depth (non-skid depth) on cars must not fall below 1.6 mm, measured against the tread wear indicator moulded into the tyre (Rule 94 text on Indian Kanoon).
That is the legal minimum, not a safe target. Apollo recommends replacing tyres once the tread falls below 2.3 mm, rather than waiting for the legal limit, which leaves a safety margin for wet roads.
How to check:
- Find the tread wear indicators (TWI). These are small raised bars inside the main grooves. When the tread is level with them, the tyre is worn out.
- Use a tread-depth gauge. It costs little and gives you a number for each tyre. Measure at the inner edge, centre and outer edge.
- Skip the coin trick. Apollo points out that coin tests don't work reliably in India because coins of the same value come in different sizes.
4. Read the wear pattern: what it says about the car
Uneven wear is a clue to how the car has been looked after. Based on Apollo's guide to tyre wear patterns:
- Centre worn more than the edges: the tyres have been run over-inflated.
- Both shoulders worn: under-inflation, overloading or hard cornering.
- One edge worn (inner or outer): a camber problem, possibly from worn ball joints, bushings or wheel bearings.
- Cupping (scalloped dips around the tread): worn shock absorbers or struts, wheel imbalance or bent suspension parts.
- Feathering (ridges you can feel across the tread): incorrect toe alignment.
- Diagonal wear patches: tyres not rotated, or rear alignment and suspension wear.
One-sided wear or cupping on a car that is otherwise "accident-free" is worth a closer look at the suspension and an alignment check. Our guide to checking a used car's accident history explains what else to look for.
5. Inspect the sidewalls and repairs
- Cracks: Michelin India says sidewall cracks are a sign of ageing and sun or ozone exposure, and a warning that the tyre is "nearing the end of its life".
- Bulges: a bubble on the sidewall means the inner ply is damaged. Michelin calls it a "real danger". Don't drive the car far on it.
- Cuts and punctures in the sidewall: Michelin says a sidewall that is punctured or cut can't be repaired, and the tyre must be replaced.
- Old repairs: Michelin's FAQ limits repairs to punctures of up to 6 mm in the tread area. Rule 94 also says a tyre patched with an outside gaiter or patch (other than a vulcanised repair) is not in "good and sound condition", except as a temporary fix.
6. Check the size, set and spare
- Size matches the car: compare the tyre size with the placard on the driver's door frame or the owner's manual, as Michelin advises.
- Matching tyres on each axle: Michelin says never to mix tread patterns or speed ratings on the same axle.
- Spare tyre: check its date code and pressure too. Michelin's 10-year guidance applies to spares as well.
How to read the tyre size
Take "185/65 R15 88H" as an example, using Michelin India's guide:
- 185: tyre width in mm.
- 65: sidewall height as a percentage of the width.
- R15: radial construction for a 15-inch rim.
- 88: load index, meaning 560 kg per tyre.
- H: speed rating, up to 210 km/h.
Newer tyres sold in India must also meet rolling resistance and wet grip norms. Under G.S.R. 453(E) of 20 June 2023, these applied from 1 January 2024, and rolling sound limits from 1 October 2024, according to this summary of the notification.
7. Use the tyres in your price negotiation
If the tyres are near the end of their life, the next owner pays for them. Get a quote for replacements before you negotiate, and ask the seller to adjust the price or replace them. Our guide on negotiating a used car price in Delhi NCR and our list of hidden costs of buying a used car can help.
A five-minute tyre checklist
- Read the date code on all four tyres and the spare.
- Measure tread depth at three points on each tyre.
- Look for uneven wear, cupping or feathering.
- Check sidewalls for cracks, bulges and cuts.
- Look for repairs and ask about punctures.
- Match the size to the door placard and check each axle has matching tyres.
- On the test drive, note any vibration, pulling to one side or drumming noise.
For the rest of the car, use our used car inspection checklist and the test-drive checklist.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Judging tyres by tread alone and ignoring age.
- Forgetting the spare until you need it.
- Assuming a low-mileage car has fresh tyres.
- Treating one-sided wear as a tyre problem rather than an alignment or suspension clue.
- Not adjusting your offer for tyres that need replacing soon.
FAQs
How do I find a tyre's manufacturing date?
Look for the four-digit code after "DOT" on the sidewall. The first two digits are the week and the last two the year, so "2324" means week 23 of 2024. It may be on the inner side of the tyre.
What is the legal minimum tread depth in India?
1.6 mm for cars, under Rule 94 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
How many years do car tyres last?
It depends on use, storage and climate. Apollo sets expiry at about six years from manufacture, while Michelin recommends replacing tyres 10 years after manufacture and checking them yearly after five years.
What does uneven tyre wear mean on a used car?
It often points to wrong pressures, misalignment or worn suspension parts. One-edge wear and cupping deserve a mechanic's look.
Should I buy a used car that needs new tyres?
Yes, if the rest of the car is sound, but factor the cost into your offer.
The bottom line
Tyres tell you a lot about a used car: how old the rubber is, how the car was maintained and whether the suspension needs work. Check the date code, tread depth, wear pattern and sidewalls on every wheel, including the spare, and price any replacements into your offer. When you're ready, browse used cars in Delhi NCR on Hooter and take this checklist with you.