Published November 2026.
Most UK cars run on summer tyres all year. As the weather turns, many drivers wonder whether winter tyres or all season tyres are worth it. There’s no legal requirement in the UK, so it comes down to where you live, how you drive and whether you take the car abroad. This guide explains the difference and helps you choose.
Summer, winter and all season tyres: the difference
| Summer tyres | All season tyres | Winter tyres | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Warm and mild weather, above about 7°C | Year-round UK weather | Cold, ice and snow, below about 7°C |
| Rubber | Firmer | In between | Softer, stays flexible in the cold |
| Tread | Fewer, simpler grooves | Mix of both | Deep grooves and many small slits (sipes) that grip snow |
| In snow | Poor | Good, if marked 3PMSF | Best |
| In summer | Best | Slightly less sharp | Wear fast, longer braking |
Tyre makers say summer tyres begin to lose grip below about 7°C, because the rubber stiffens. That’s the temperature where winter tyres start to work better, and the UK spends a fair part of the year below it.
Are winter tyres worth it in the UK?
For most UK drivers, probably not. Heavy snow doesn’t last long in most of the country, and winter tyres mean buying a second set, storing them and paying for them to be swapped twice a year. They’re worth considering if:
- You live somewhere rural, hilly or high, where snow and ice are regular, such as parts of Scotland, northern England and Wales.
- You can’t avoid driving in bad weather, for example for work or caring.
- You drive to the Alps or other snowy places in winter.
Are all season tyres a good idea?
For many UK drivers, yes. All season tyres (also called all weather tyres) are a compromise that you leave on all year. They grip better than summer tyres in the cold, wet and light snow, without the cost of a second set. The trade-offs are slightly longer braking and less precise handling in hot weather, and sometimes faster wear, than a good summer tyre.
Look for the 3PMSF symbol (a three-peak mountain with a snowflake) on the sidewall. It means the tyre passed a standard snow test. The older M+S (mud and snow) marking on its own isn’t tested, and many countries no longer accept it as a winter tyre.
Do you need to tell your insurer about winter tyres?
Usually not. Most UK insurers signed up to the Association of British Insurers’ commitment not to treat winter tyres as a modification or charge more for them, as long as they’re fitted correctly. A few didn’t, so it’s worth checking with yours. The AA has more on this. All season tyres are standard replacement tyres and don’t need declaring.
Driving in Europe in winter
If you drive abroad in winter, the rules can be stricter than at home. Michelin keeps a summary of each country’s rules. For example:
- France: in designated mountain areas, from 1 November to 31 March, cars must have winter or all season tyres marked 3PMSF, or carry snow chains or socks.
- Germany and Austria: winter tyres are required in wintry conditions, and Austria sets dates and minimum tread depths.
- Several other countries set winter dates or minimum tread depths, often 3mm or 4mm.
Check the rules for every country on your route before you travel.
The UK tread law applies whatever tyres you use
Every car tyre in the UK must have at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three quarters of the tyre, all the way round (the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations). Each illegal tyre can bring a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points. Grip in wet and cold weather falls well before 1.6mm, which is why many experts suggest replacing tyres at around 3mm, especially before winter.
Tyres are one of the most common MOT advisories, so a car’s MOT history check is a good way to see how its tyres have been looked after. If you’re tempted by second-hand tyres to save money, read our part worn tyres guide first.
Winter tyre tips
- Fit winter or all season tyres on all four wheels, never just two.
- Check pressures more often in cold weather, as they drop as the temperature falls: see our tyre pressure warning light guide.
- If you swap to winter tyres, store the other set cool, dry and out of sunlight.
- Winter tyres used in summer wear quickly and brake less well, so swap back in spring.
Frequently asked questions
Are winter tyres a legal requirement in the UK?
No. There’s no law requiring winter tyres in the UK. The legal minimum tread depth of 1.6mm applies to all tyres.
Are all season tyres worth it in the UK?
For many drivers, yes. They grip better than summer tyres in cold, wet weather and light snow, and you don’t need a second set.
Can I use winter tyres in summer?
You can, but they wear quickly and braking distances are longer in the warm, so it’s best to swap back in spring.
What does 3PMSF mean on a tyre?
Three-peak mountain snowflake. It shows the tyre has passed a standard test for grip in snow.
Do winter tyres affect my car insurance?
Usually not. Most insurers agreed not to treat them as a modification or charge more, but check with your insurer.
- The AA: winter tyres in the UK
- Michelin: European winter tyre regulations
- Part worn tyres: are they legal and safe?
- Tyre pressure warning light guide
- Tyre puncture repair guide
- MOT history: advisories, risk levels and how long records last
See a car’s tyre advisories and full MOT history, free, with our MOT history check.
