Published on: 04/05/2021

As of 1^st May 2021, tyres now have a new labelling system to help motorists understand how well they perform in different conditions. Want to know more about how the system works and how it could affect drivers? The Trust My Garage blog is here to help!

What changes are being made?

According to TyreSafe.org, the changes to labelling are being made to help motorists understand the performance of different tyres in areas such as fuel efficiency, and grip in adverse weather conditions.

With the previous labelling system, concerns were raised that motorists were not fully aware of the differences between different tyre ratings displayed on the tyre label. As these labels were physically affixed to the tyres, a driver could have had a new tyre fitted by a garage without ever seeing the label to confirm the tyre’s rating, unless specifically queried.

From now on, tyre label ratings are available to retailers through their computers, and they must provide the rating details to their customers. This information is drawn from a European database holding the ratings of every tyre on sale, which will be made accessible to the public.

The rating scale for tyres has also changed, with a new, five-option rating system from “A” (best) to “E” (worst). If the tyre is classified as suitable for use on snow, it will have the Alpine peaks symbol. A symbol for tyres classified as suitable for ice (known as ‘Nordic tyres’) is also available. The ratings system and the snow/ice graphics are shown here:

What details are the same as before?

There is some information which has not changed. A tyre’s fuel efficiency, braking performance in the wet and the amount of road noise it generates remain the core information of the label, and a rating is provided for each performance measure. Labels will look like this:

How can I check my vehicle’s tyres?

If you think your vehicle may need new tyres, or you want to know if your tyres are over the legal tread depth limit of 1.6mm, you can test their depth yourself.

You may also want to confirm if your vehicle’s tyres are inflated to the correct pressure, or monitor key signs of wear and tear on the tyres.

Our “What to do when… you need to check your vehicle’s tyres” posts can help! From “the 20p test”, to how to use a tyre pressure gauge, we’ve put together the information you need to ensure you keep this vital part of your vehicle at its best.

What do I do when I need to change my vehicle’s tyres?

Many local independent garages offer tyre sales and fitting services, either as a standalone or as part of your MOT advisories. Often, you can ask for new tyres to be fitted while still at the garage to rectify an advisory issue. If you want to know which garages near you offer tyre services, you can pop your postcode into the handy “Find a Garage” tool on the Trust My Garage website! Give it a try!

You can adjust the search radius depending on how far you want to travel, and check the reviews and ratings for each TMG member too! All members also have a profile page where you can read more information about the business and see what services they offer – including tyres!

All the garages in Trust My Garage are members of the Independent Garage Association, which is part of the RMI: one of Britain’s oldest motor trade organisations. IGA members are true professionals who must comply with a strict, Chartered Trading Standards Institute-approved Code of Practice.

Every customer of all Trust My Garage members can rely on using a nationally recognised brand to help you and your vehicle get the best value service for your money.

If you have any top tyre tips, be sure to leave them in the comments below!