Car Tyre Minimum Tread Depth and Other Requirements

Under New Zealand law, a vehicle's tyres must meet certain requirements to pass a WOF check. These requirements include:

1. Tyre tread depth, the minimum legal tyre tread depth is 1.5mm across the tyre's width and around the entire circumference of the tyre.

2. Tyre condition, tyres must be free from damage, such as cuts or bulges, that could compromise their safety or performance.

3. Tyre type, tyres must be suitable for the vehicle they are fitted to and be marked with the appropriate speed and load rating.

4. Tyre pressure, tyres must be inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure.

For Warrant of Fitness requirements, tyres on the same axle must be of the same size designation, construction and the same tread pattern type (e.g. asymmetrical, directional, rotational). However, there is no legal requirement for tyres on all axles to be the same tread, even though NZTA indicates that fitting four identical tyres (preferably summer) provides the best grip.

If a vehicle's tyres do not meet these requirements, it will fail the WOF inspection and the owner will be required to replace or repair the tyres before the vehicle can be legally driven on New Zealand roads.

If your car fails a WOF check due to tyres then the easy way to shop around for the best deals and options is to list your job requirements on Servo