Adequate tread depth is essential for safe driving on wet roads as the tread grooves help to remove water from the contact patch between the tyre and the road surface, which is essential for effective acceleration, cornering and braking.

A tyre with lower tread depth is less effective at removing water from the road, leading to longer stopping distances and reduced road safety.

Indeed, according to tests conducted by the British Tyre Manufacturers' Association, braking distance in wet weather of a tyre with only 1.6mm of tread depth is almost 12m longer than a new tyre from 50mph.

Tyres are complex engineered products so it is not just their outer visual condition that affects road safety. A tyre is a high tech piece of equipment consisting of 30 different components which must all be in good condition to ensure your safety.

Running tyres under-inflated or even hitting a pothole or kerb can cause serious damage to internal components of a tyre. As part worn tyres are not required to be examined by x-ray for internal structural defects prior to their sale, it can be impossible to determine if any internal damage exists and the safety of the tyre has been compromised.