5 Factors to Consider Tyre Wear on the Outer Edge

As most drivers are aware, our cars' tyres serve a critical part in keeping traction on the roads we travel on. Our tyres deliver torque to any given surface while also preventing dangerous slides or skids.

Tyres do, however, wear out with time, requiring the buying of suitable replacements of the same size. However, a vehicle's tyres might wear unevenly under certain conditions, necessitating replacement sooner rather than later.

Uneven tyre wear, which develops at the outer edge of a tyres tread, is one of the most prevalent kinds of MOT failure, according to an online MOT history checker.

Outside-edge tyre wear, like inside-edge tyre wear, is not only dangerous, but it can also be uncomfortable and costly. After all, no one wants to write off a pair of tyres any sooner than necessary.

Have your tyres examined before your next MOT testing service to ensure they are not worn out, since this will cause the MOT test to fail.

Outside Tire Wear: What Causes It?

A variety of factors can contribute to outside tyre wear, each of which needs specific attention. When attempting to rectify the condition, it's important to understand each possible source of outer tyre wear.

A few of the most typical reasons of tyre wear on the outer are as follows:

1.      Wearing Under-Inflation - In a short period of time, an under-inflated tyre will begin to show rapid wear around the outside margins of its tread. This is owing to the fact that when a tyre is under-inflated, the outside "shoulder" of the tread is subjected to greater tension. A search of your car's MOT history will indicate that worn out tyres are a regular reason for a failed MOT test. Similarly, an under-inflated tyres inside edge will often exhibit evidence of increased wear. This problem can be resolved by properly inflating your tyres to the manufacturer's recommended pressure.

2.      Extremely Positive Front Camber - Camber refers to the inward/outward tilt of a vehicle's tyres in relation to a vertical axis. Any form of excessive camber can cause uneven tyre wear. Premature inner/outer edge tyre wear is the most common symptom. Excessively positive camber is frequently the fault for considerable outer edge tyre degradation. In the vast majority of situations, this problem can be resolved with a simple alignment. Check MOT certificate of your car for the expiration date and make an appointment with a tyre specialist ahead of time. However, it's also a good idea to rotate your tyres every now and again to equal out any uneven wear over time.

3.      Incorrect Toe Adjustment - On a horizontal axis, a toe measurement specifies the inward/outward angle of a vehicle's front or rear tyres. Improperly set toe can cause a variety of problems, including uneven or accelerated tyre wear. This type of wear is most commonly seen at a tyres edge. To prevent future wear, a vehicle must be aligned by qualified professionals to fix this problem. If the tyres on the affected car aren't worn to the point of replacement, it's also a good idea to rotate them. If you check MOT history of your vehicle, you will realise that this issue is a common reason for a MOT test to fail.If an improper toe is found to be the source of abnormal tyre wear, the front end of the vehicle should be inspected for evidence of wear.

4.      Wear on Suspension Components - In some cases, worn suspension components can also cause excessive tread wear around the edges of a vehicle's tyres. Suspension-related wear is generally seen as cupping or scalloping inside the tread pattern of a tyre. This form of wear can cause a tyres tread to peel off in a predictable manner.Though this sort of wear affects most tyres in their totality, it usually manifests itself first around the tread pattern's outside border. In order to repair this form of wear, any worn or otherwise damaged suspension components, such as a vehicle's shocks and struts, must be replaced.

5.      Component Damage - Damage to one or more of a vehicle's major steering or suspension components can result in irregular tyre wear of any kind. A collision, regardless of severity, is the most common source of this injury. Under some conditions, even slamming into a curb at high speeds can do significant damage to a vehicle's steering and suspension components. Towing an excessive amount of weight on a trailer, regular off-road driving, poor road surfaces, potholes or past poor installation of front-end parts can all cause damage to a vehicle's steering and suspension components.

Is It Safe to Drive with Tyres That Have Abnormal Outer Edge Wear?

The degree of the wear determines whether or not it is safe to drive on one or more tyres with visible outer edge wear.

If the abnormal wear has just begun and is mild in appearance, the tyre can typically be saved by rotating it to a different wheel end position. Of course, the underlying source of this excessive wear must be addressed as well.

Any tyre whose structure has been undermined by abnormal wear, on the other hand, should be replaced without delay. This includes those that have begun to show severe wear on the exterior edges. If secondary rubber (structural non-tread rubber) or belting material is exposed, the tyre should be replaced right away.