How to Inspect Used Car Tyres: Reading 4-Digit DOT Age Codes, Tread Depth & Alignment
An expert guide to evaluating tyre health, reading DOT age codes, detecting suspension camber wear, and estimating remaining tyre lifespan.
First 2 digits represent week, last 2 digits represent manufacturing year.
Critical wet grip threshold on rainy Indian monsoon roads.
Tyres older than 5 years become brittle and risk catastrophic highway blowouts.
1. Decoding the 4-Digit DOT Date Code
Every certified pneumatic tyre features an oval stamping on its outer sidewall containing four numbers. The first two digits specify the calendar week of manufacture (from 01 to 52), while the last two digits denote the year.
- Example '1422' = 14th week of 2022
- Tyres older than 5 years (60 months) risk dry rot cracks and highway delamination
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2. Measuring Tread Depth & Tread Wear Indicators (TWI)
Look for small rubber triangles or 'TWI' markings inside the main tread grooves. When the tread wears down level with these 1.6mm indicator bars, the tyre is legally bald and dangerously susceptible to hydroplaning.
3. Spotting Suspension Camber & Toe Wear Patterns
Inner shoulder wear indicates negative camber from worn control arm bushings. Feathered diagonal tread wear points to severe toe misalignment from hitting deep potholes at speed.
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