Ask yourself, when did you look last under the cap of your car? Can't remember? Not the only one, you're not. Today, cars are so reliable that most of us don't bother to control things like oil or coolant. We think it's just as ok to not check our tyres, let alone on an ordinary basis, which could be a significant security hazard.

How do we know? A total of 10% of all MOT Bromsgrove test failures across the country are due to tyre failures. In our most recent wheel safety article, we are looking at the wheel products so they can avoid failures in the MOT test.

The MOT test deals with safety and road safety – ensure that your vehicle is not only safe for you and your passengers, but also for all other road users. Many criteria – from brakes to axles and the visibility of the driver – are checked and many more. The problem number one is... worn down treads, of the 10 per cent check for MOT caused by tyres.

Super important Tyre treads are. Invention by Continental Tyre engineers, first in 1904, treads are rubber grooves that remove water from the "patch of contact" between the wheel and roads.

This enables traction by providing wheel grip which enables drivers to brake, steer, and accelerate – everything that keeps the car safe and secure.

How to prevent MOT failure because of tread wearing?

When your tread looks superficial, or the wheel surface is somewhat sparkling, or bald, it is time to think about a set of new wheel tyres. Make sure you are a British legal road by inserting a 20pc in the wheel threads (throughout the width of the wheel). If you can see any of the coin's outer rim at any time in the measuring, it is not just time to think about a new set of tyres, you need to take action.

Two tips to extend your tyres' lives

1. Be careful about your wheel pressure: When your wheels are swelling to the right level, your wheels are wearing evenly – and also safer and fuel-efficient.

2. Avoid partially worn wheel Teams of Council Trading Standards have reported that partly worn tyres are sold under uncertain conditions and incorrect labelling. You just don't value risk and will wear new premium brand wheels, like Continentals, faster. But all the tyres, even if properly inflated, wear down over time, depending on how often you drive and how often.

Sides of the wheel cut and bulges

The sides are essentially the part of the wheel which resists and stabilises your car. It's normally a sign of serious damage to the structure of the tyre if you notice a tear, nick, bubble or bulge in your sidewall. It means that you and those around you are at greater risk of a high-speed crash. It is important that a tyre expert checks the damage immediately. If such damage is found by an MOT inspector, it will immediately fail – without exception.

Sidewall damage prevention tips

• Don't get in touch with kerbs: A lot of damage starts from the sidewall with a rough bang or with a kerb or pitch. This, too, can lead to long-term wheel damage if you keep spraying the wheel when parked.

• Try preventing from driving in potholes: It isn't always possible these days. Scraps and blows can damage your tyres—and the suspension of the vehicle as well (another common reason for MOT failures).

• Maintain your wheel pressure: If you have insufficient air on your wheel tyres, the sidewall has to compensate for the need to stabilise your car. The structure of the wheel can therefore wear prematurely and reduce the strength.

• Make sure that you purge anything left on your wheel petrol onto your wheel Car Service Bromsgrove or drive through some really dirty water with water and wash away liquid. Long exposure to solvents and oils makes the wheel compound softer and may damage the sidewall structure.