To ensure optimum safety, motorists are advised to check their tyres regularly for signs of wear, correct pressure and tread depth.

A tyre with less than four millimetres groove depth is no longer safe in wet weather, as its wet grip and aquaplaning protection are drastically reduced, tyre manufacturer Nokian advises.

Nokian says the surface of the tyre can also wear unevenly. Even with six millimetres tread on the outer shoulder, the grooves on the inside can be virtually worn away.

High wear is often attributable to excessively low tyre pressure, incorrect steering angle adjustment or worn shock absorbers.