Tyre Expiry Date Calculator

How Long Do Tyres Last? Understanding Tyre Shelf Life

Tyres are one of the most critical safety components on any vehicle, yet many drivers overlook expiry dates. Even if a tyre looks physically undamaged, the rubber compound degrades over time due to oxidation, UV exposure, and thermal cycling. This process — called rubber ageing — reduces grip, flexibility, and structural integrity.

Recommended Tyre Shelf Life

Most tyre manufacturers and automotive safety organisations recommend the following guidelines:

Usage Type	Recommended Replacement	Absolute Maximum
Car tyres (regular use)	5–6 years from manufacture	10 years
Motorcycle tyres	5 years from manufacture	7 years
Truck/commercial tyres	6 years from manufacture	10 years
Spare tyres (unused)	6 years from manufacture	10 years

How to Read the DOT Code on Your Tyre

Every tyre sold in India and internationally has a DOT (Department of Transportation) code moulded into the sidewall. The last four digits tell you the manufacturing date:

The first two digits indicate the week of manufacture (01–52).
The last two digits indicate the year of manufacture.

Example: DOT code ending in 2420 means the tyre was made in week 24 of 2020, which is approximately June 2020.

Safety Tip: Replace your tyres before they reach 10 years of age, regardless of tread depth. Old tyres can fail suddenly — even at low speeds — due to rubber degradation.

Signs Your Tyres May Be Expired or Degraded

Visible cracks or crazing on the sidewall or tread
Bulges or blisters on the tyre surface
Loss of flexibility and increased hardness when pressed
Tread depth below 1.6mm (legal minimum in India)
More than 5 years since manufacture

Why Checking Tyre Expiry Dates Is Important

Road accidents caused by tyre blowouts and failures are among the most fatal vehicle incidents. Aged tyres are far more prone to sudden failure, particularly at highway speeds or in extreme temperatures. Using our tyre expiry date calculator takes just seconds and could be a lifesaving habit.

Always check the tyre manufacture date when buying second-hand vehicles or spare tyres. New-looking tyres can still be dangerously old if they have been stored in a warehouse for several years before sale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Look at the sidewall of your tyre for the DOT code. It is a string of letters and numbers beginning with "DOT". The last four digits of this code indicate the week and year of manufacture. For example, "2421" means the tyre was manufactured in week 24 of 2021 (approximately June 2021).

Yes. Even unused, stored tyres degrade over time. Rubber compounds oxidise and harden regardless of use. Most manufacturers recommend replacing tyres within 6 years of manufacture and treating any tyre older than 10 years as expired — even if it has never been fitted to a vehicle.

Driving on expired or aged tyres significantly increases the risk of tyre failure, blowouts, and accidents. Degraded rubber loses its grip, especially in wet conditions, and the structural integrity weakens, making the tyre susceptible to sudden collapse even at normal driving speeds.

India does not currently mandate a legal maximum tyre age on public roads. However, vehicle manufacturers and tyre companies recommend replacement after 5–6 years. Tyres older than 10 years should never be used. Traffic police can take action if a vehicle's tyres are found to be in unsafe condition.