Driving with illegal tyre tread in the UK can result in an MOT failure, police action, penalty points and a fine of up to £2,500 for each defective tyre. If several tyres are illegal, the offences and potential penalties can be applied separately.
The legal consequences are only part of the risk. Shallow tread gives a tyre less capacity to clear rainwater, which can reduce wet-road grip and make braking, steering and stability less predictable during heavy rain, standing water or an emergency manoeuvre.
This guide explains the UK tyre-tread limit, how the central three-quarters rule works, what may happen during a police or MOT inspection, and what to do if you discover that a tyre is below the legal minimum.
Key Takeaways
- Most car and light-van tyres need at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three-quarters and around the complete circumference.
- Tread below the legal requirement is a dangerous MOT defect.
- The potential penalty is up to £2,500 and three points for each illegal tyre.
- Four illegal tyres could potentially expose a driver to maximum fines totalling £10,000 and 12 points.
- A current MOT certificate does not guarantee that a vehicle remains roadworthy.
- One favourable tread reading cannot prove that the complete tyre is legal.
- Inner-edge wear may be severe even when the visible outer tread looks acceptable.
- Legal tread depth is a minimum threshold, not a guarantee of ideal wet-weather grip.
What Is the Legal Tyre Tread Depth in the UK?
For most passenger cars, SUVs and light vans, the primary tread grooves must be at least 1.6mm deep across the central three-quarters of the tyre’s tread width and around its complete circumference.
The rule does not mean that one groove measuring 1.6mm makes the whole tyre legal. The relevant primary grooves must meet the minimum throughout the measured area and all the way around the tyre. Read the official Highway Code tyre requirements.
A tyre may therefore be illegal when:
- One section falls below 1.6mm
- The inner tread is below the limit
- Wear varies around the circumference
- A flat spot falls below the minimum
- The primary grooves are too shallow
- Uneven pressure, alignment or suspension wear affects the measured area
Our detailed guide to the minimum legal tyre tread depth in the UK explains the measurement rule in greater depth.
What Does the Central Three-Quarters Rule Mean?
The central three-quarters is the middle 75% of the tyre’s working tread width. The primary grooves within that section must remain at least 1.6mm deep around the entire outer circumference.
Tread area | What needs to be checked? |
Central three-quarters | Primary grooves need at least 1.6mm |
Complete circumference | The minimum must be maintained all the way around |
Inner and outer shoulders | Check for severe wear, damage and exposed cords |
One isolated groove | Cannot prove the complete tyre is legal |
The DVSA MOT manual notes that areas outside the central three-quarters can be devoid of tread. However, that does not make structural damage, exposed cords, severe cuts or other dangerous defects acceptable.
Atiq-Ur-Rahman Khan notes that inner-edge wear is one of the easiest problems to miss when tyres are viewed from beside the vehicle. In G Tyres’ wholesale sorting work, a healthy-looking central groove does not remove the need to examine the complete width and circumference.
Are the Rules Different for Other Vehicles?
Yes. Motorcycles and some larger passenger or commercial vehicles may be subject to different tread requirements.
Many motorcycles require at least 1mm within the applicable continuous tread band. Mopeds with an engine capacity no greater than 50cc need a visible tread pattern rather than the same 1.6mm car standard. Operators should use the rules for their exact vehicle class.
This article focuses primarily on ordinary cars and light vans.
When Does Tyre Tread Become Illegal?
Tyre tread becomes illegal as soon as it falls below the applicable minimum in any relevant part of the measured area. There is no grace period because a tyre is only slightly below 1.6mm or because the next MOT is several months away.
A reading of 1.5mm is below the legal threshold. It does not become acceptable because another groove measures 2mm or because the tyre looks usable from the side.
A tyre may also be unroadworthy for reasons unrelated to tread depth, including:
- Exposed or damaged cords
- Serious cuts reaching the structure
- Sidewall bulges
- Tread separation
- An unsuitable size or load rating
- Incorrect fitment
- A valve defect likely to cause sudden deflation
- Contact with another vehicle component
The DVSA treats inadequate tread, serious structural bulges, exposed cords and certain dangerous valve defects as dangerous MOT defects.
Is a Tyre Legal at Exactly 1.6mm?
A qualifying car tyre measuring exactly 1.6mm throughout the required area is technically at the legal minimum. However, it has no useful legal margin left.
Continued driving will cause further wear. A tyre that measures 1.6mm today may fall below the limit after additional mileage, particularly when the vehicle has an alignment problem or carries heavy loads.
Measurement differences also matter. A worn gauge, a rough coin test or one favourable groove may not represent the lowest section around the tyre.
This is where legal and sensible become different questions:
A tyre may be legal at the moment it is measured without offering the tread margin a driver wants for future mileage and wet-weather use.
What Happens If the Police Find Illegal Tyre Tread?
A driver found using an illegal tyre can face a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each defective tyre. The potential penalty can be applied separately when several tyres are illegal.
Police may examine tyres during:
- A roadside stop
- A collision investigation
- A targeted road-safety operation
- A commercial vehicle check
- An investigation prompted by visible tyre damage
- A stop relating to another driving offence
The exact outcome depends on the tyre condition, the circumstances and whether the matter is dealt with by a fixed penalty or court proceedings.
A driver remains responsible for the vehicle’s roadworthiness. Saying that the tyre passed an MOT months earlier or that a garage did not mention the tread does not automatically remove that responsibility.
Can Four Illegal Tyres Lead to a £10,000 Fine?
Potentially, yes. Because the maximum fine and points can apply to each tyre, four illegal tyres could expose a driver to maximum fines totalling £10,000 and 12 penalty points.
Illegal tyres | Potential maximum fine | Potential points |
One | £2,500 | 3 |
Two | £5,000 | 6 |
Three | £7,500 | 9 |
Four | £10,000 | 12 |
These are potential maximum figures, not guaranteed outcomes in every case. A court considers the facts and seriousness of the offence.
Twelve points within three years can normally trigger disqualification under the totting-up rules, although the court determines the sentence.
What Happens to New Drivers?
Drivers who reach six or more penalty points within two years of passing their first driving test normally have their licence revoked under the new-driver rules.
Two illegal tyres could potentially result in six points. A newly qualified driver could therefore lose the full licence and need to reapply for a provisional licence before passing the required tests again.
Will Illegal Tyre Tread Fail an MOT?
Yes. Tread below the applicable minimum is recorded as a dangerous defect under the current DVSA MOT inspection manual.
A vehicle with a dangerous defect fails its MOT and should not normally be driven until the defect has been repaired. The official test-result guidance also states that any vehicle taken away after a failure must still meet minimum roadworthiness standards. Read the GOV.UK rules for driving after an MOT failure.
Our guide explaining whether part-worn tyres can pass an MOT covers the difference between a tyre’s previous use and its condition during the test.
Does a Valid MOT Protect You from a Tyre Fine?
No. An MOT is a snapshot of the vehicle’s condition on the test date. It is not a guarantee that the tyres will remain legal until the next test.
Tyres may wear quickly after an MOT because of:
- High mileage
- Incorrect pressure
- Wheel misalignment
- Suspension faults
- Heavy loads
- Kerb or pothole impacts
- Existing low tread
- Repeated harsh braking
GOV.UK states that a vehicle can be unsafe even when it has a current MOT certificate. The driver is responsible for keeping it roadworthy and ensuring that its tyres have the correct tread and are free from relevant cuts and defects.
This principle only needs to be stated once:
A current MOT does not protect a driver who continues using a tyre that has since become illegal or dangerous.
How Does Illegal Tyre Tread Affect Wet-Weather Driving?
Illegal tread gives the tyre less capacity to channel water away from its contact area. The vehicle may feel normal in dry, steady conditions but respond less predictably during heavy rain, sudden braking or travel through standing water.
The Highway Code states that stopping distances in wet weather are at least double those required on dry roads because tyres have less grip. Drivers should reduce speed and increase the gap from the vehicle ahead. Read the Highway Code wet-weather guidance.
Shallow tread may contribute to:
- Reduced wet grip
- Longer braking distances
- Less predictable steering
- Greater aquaplaning risk
- Reduced stability during sudden manoeuvres
- Difficulty maintaining control in standing water
The 1.6mm requirement is a legal minimum. It is not a promise of ideal grip in every condition.
Why Does Tread Depth Matter in Rain?
The main grooves provide channels through which water can escape. As those grooves become shallower, they have less capacity to move water away.
Wet-road behaviour also depends on:
- Vehicle speed
- Water depth
- Tyre pressure
- Tread pattern
- Rubber condition
- Tyre width
- Vehicle weight
- Road surface
- Steering and braking inputs
It would therefore be misleading to claim that every tyre below 1.6mm adds one fixed number of metres to every stop. Real stopping distance depends on several interacting factors.
The safer conclusion is:
Reduced tyre grip can mean that the vehicle requires more distance to slow or stop safely.
THINK! warns that driving without the legally required tread can adversely affect grip, braking distance and steering. Read the THINK! tyre-safety guidance.
What Is Aquaplaning?
Aquaplaning occurs when water reduces direct contact between the tyre and road. The driver may notice light steering, reduced response or a floating sensation.
Speed, water depth, tread condition and tyre pressure can all influence the risk. Shallow tread is particularly concerning where standing water is present.
If aquaplaning begins, sudden steering and harsh braking can make control more difficult. Ease off the accelerator gradually, keep the steering controlled and allow the tyres an opportunity to regain contact.
What Happens If Illegal Tread Contributes to an Accident?
Tyre condition may become relevant after a collision if it affected braking, steering, stability or the driver’s ability to avoid the incident.
Police, insurers or vehicle examiners may consider:
- Tread readings from each tyre
- Inner and outer wear
- Exposed cords
- Tyre pressure
- Recent MOT advisories
- Garage invoices
- Maintenance records
- Photographs
- Weather and road conditions
- Whether the defect affected vehicle control
Illegal tread does not automatically prove that one driver caused the whole collision. Another road user may still have caused the initial event.
The accurate position is conditional:
Illegal tread can become relevant to liability when the tyre’s condition contributed to the collision or reduced the driver’s ability to avoid it.
The Association of British Insurers recommends recording information after an accident, including photographs, vehicle positions, weather, traffic conditions and road markings. Read the ABI accident guidance.
Will Illegal Tyre Tread Invalidate Your Insurance?
Illegal tread does not automatically cancel every motor-insurance policy in every situation.
An insurance outcome may depend on:
- The individual policy wording
- Whether the vehicle was roadworthy
- Whether the defect existed before the incident
- Whether tyre condition contributed to the loss
- Whether the driver ignored an advisory
- Whether the tyre specification was correct
- How the vehicle was being used
- Whether relevant information was disclosed
A tyre supplier, garage or general blog cannot promise that an insurer will definitely pay or definitely reject a claim.
Drivers should report an accident accurately, preserve evidence and follow the insurer’s claims process. Do not conceal known tyre defects or dispose of potentially relevant damaged components before asking the insurer or repairer whether they need to be retained.
What Should You Do If You Discover Illegal Tyre Tread?
If a tyre is confirmed below the legal limit, do not continue using the vehicle for ordinary journeys. Arrange replacement without unnecessary driving.
If the Vehicle Is at Home
Suitable options may include:
- Arranging a mobile tyre fitter
- Fitting an appropriate legal spare
- Having the vehicle recovered
- Asking a garage about collection
- Replacing the tyre before the next journey
A short journey is not exempt from the tread requirement. Rain, emergency braking, a police stop or a collision can happen within a few minutes of setting off.
If the Vehicle Is at an MOT Centre
Ask whether the tyre can be replaced at the premises.
A vehicle that fails with a dangerous tyre defect cannot normally be driven away until that defect has been repaired. If replacement is unavailable at the test centre, discuss mobile fitting or recovery rather than assuming that a pre-booked garage appointment makes the tyre legal to use.
If You Discover the Problem During a Journey
Stop somewhere safe and legal as soon as circumstances allow. Do not stop in a live traffic lane merely to inspect a tyre unless an immediate emergency makes stopping unavoidable.
On a motorway or another high-speed road, follow the Highway Code breakdown procedure and contact breakdown assistance when the vehicle cannot be driven safely. Read the Highway Code breakdown guidance.
Can You Drive to a Garage with Illegal Tyre Tread?
You should not continue using a vehicle normally after confirming that a tyre is below the legal minimum.
Safer solutions include:
- Mobile replacement
- On-site replacement
- Vehicle recovery
- Garage collection
- An appropriate legal spare
Booking a garage appointment does not make an illegal tyre roadworthy.
What If It Is Only Slightly Below 1.6mm?
A tread reading of 1.5mm is illegal even though it is only 0.1mm below the threshold.
There is no legal grace margin for being slightly under. Once an accurate measurement confirms that the relevant tread is below the limit, replacement should be arranged.
How Can You Check Whether Your Tread Is Illegal?
A tread-depth gauge provides the clearest practical measurement. Check each tyre at several positions across the tread and around the circumference.
Measure:
- Inner primary grooves
- Centre grooves
- Outer primary grooves
- Several points around the tyre
- All four road tyres
- The spare, where one is carried
Do not check only the easiest outer groove. In G Tyres’ supplier experience, tyres can show reasonable central tread while carrying much heavier inner-edge wear that becomes obvious only when the complete width is examined.
How Does the 20p Test Work?
Place a 20p coin into the primary tread grooves.
If the raised outer band of the coin remains visible, the tread may be too shallow and should be measured with a proper gauge. National Highways recommends checking at least three positions on each tyre because one area may be more worn than another. Read the National Highways vehicle-check guidance.
The coin test is an initial warning tool. It cannot provide the precision of a tread gauge or detect structural damage.
What Do Tread-Wear Indicators Show?
Many tyres contain raised wear bars inside their main grooves. When the surrounding tread becomes level with them, the tyre is at or near its designed tread-limit reference.
Do not rely on the wear bars alone. Uneven sections may reach an illegal depth earlier, and structural defects can make a tyre unsuitable even when its tread remains deeper.
How Often Should You Check?
A practical routine is to inspect tyre tread at least monthly, before long journeys and whenever the vehicle begins pulling, vibrating or losing pressure.
High-mileage vehicles may need more frequent checks.
A basic inspection should include:
- Tread depth
- Pressure when cold
- Inner and outer shoulders
- Cuts and bulges
- Cracking
- Valves
- Uneven wear
- Spare tyre condition
Keep a simple record of the date, mileage, tread readings, pressure and any recommended work. Records make changes easier to identify but do not replace physical checks.
Why Do Tyres Wear Below the Limit Unevenly?
Illegal tread is not always caused by normal mileage. The wear pattern may indicate another maintenance or vehicle problem.
Wear pattern | Possible contributing cause |
Both shoulders heavily worn | Underinflation or repeated overloading |
Centre heavily worn | Excessive pressure |
One-sided inner or outer wear | Alignment or suspension geometry |
Cupping or scalloping | Suspension, balancing or wheel issues |
Flat spot | Heavy braking, prolonged parking or mechanical issues |
Localised rapid wear | Damage, alignment or casing concern |
These are possible causes, not a remote diagnosis. Severe or repeated wear should be assessed professionally.
Atiq-Ur-Rahman Khan notes that replacing the tyre without addressing the reason for the wear can create the same problem again. From a wholesale supplier’s perspective, repeated inner-edge or shoulder wear should prompt a vehicle check rather than another tyre-only solution.
After replacement, consider checking:
- Wheel alignment
- Tyre pressure
- Suspension condition
- Wheel balance
- Braking components
- Vehicle loading
- Rim damage
The Highway Code notes that excessive or uneven wear may be linked to braking, suspension or wheel-alignment faults.
Should You Replace Tyres Before They Reach 1.6mm?
Drivers do not have to wait until a tyre reaches exactly 1.6mm before planning replacement.
Earlier replacement may be sensible when:
- Tread is wearing unevenly
- The vehicle covers high mileage
- Heavy rain or winter use is expected
- A long journey is approaching
- The tyre has little legal margin remaining
- Fleet or business policy sets a higher threshold
- Age or condition creates another concern
A tyre at 1.7mm may still be legal, but it has only 0.1mm of margin. Continued use can remove that margin before the next inspection.
The legal minimum answers whether the tyre has crossed the legal line. A replacement decision considers future mileage, weather, condition and the speed at which the tread is wearing.
When Should a Tyre Be Replaced Above 1.6mm?
Tread depth cannot cancel out structural damage.
A tyre may need immediate replacement above 1.6mm when it has:
- A sidewall bulge
- Exposed cords
- Tread separation
- A serious cut
- Severe cracking
- Bead damage
- Repeated pressure loss
- Damage from being driven while flat
- An unsuitable specification
- Contact with another component
Should You Choose a New or Suitable Part-Worn Replacement?
Both new and legally supplied part-worn tyres may provide a solution. The correct choice depends on the exact tyre, vehicle, intended use and total cost.
Comparison factor | Suitable part-worn tyre | New tyre |
Initial price | Usually lower | Usually higher |
Starting tread | Reduced | Full |
Previous road use | Yes | No |
Remaining life | Depends on tread and condition | Usually longer |
History | May be incomplete | Known starting point |
Matching availability | Depends on stock | Often easier |
Replacement timing | Usually sooner | Usually later |
Best choice | Conditional | Conditional |
A suitable used tyre may deserve consideration when:
- It meets the UK supply requirements
- Tread is meaningfully above the point-of-sale minimum
- Wear is even
- Its size and ratings are correct
- Its date and condition are acceptable
- Repairs are known and appropriate
- It matches the vehicle and axle
- Its price reflects the reduced remaining life
A part-worn tyre offered for sale must have at least 2mm of original tread across the full breadth and around the complete circumference. That point-of-sale rule is different from the general 1.6mm in-use requirement. Our guide to UK part-worn tyre regulations explains the distinction.
A new tyre may make more sense when:
- The vehicle covers high mileage
- The price difference is small
- Predictable remaining life matters
- A matching pair or set is required
- Used options have limited tread
- Repair history creates uncertainty
- Repeat fitting would remove the saving
- The vehicle has demanding performance needs
Our comparison of part-worn and new tyres examines the value question in more detail.
How Do You Read the Tyre Size?
A common sidewall marking is:
205/55 R16 91V
This means:
- 205: tyre width in millimetres
- 55: sidewall height as a percentage of the width
- R: radial construction
- 16: wheel diameter in inches
- 91: load index
- V: speed rating
Checking only “R16” is not enough. A tyre can fit the rim while having the wrong width, profile, load index or speed rating.
In G Tyres’ stock-sorting work, tyres with the same basic dimensions regularly carry different load ratings, speed ratings or reinforced specifications. Garages and mobile fitters should identify stock using the full sidewall specification.
Should You Replace One, Two or Four Tyres?
One tyre may be replaced when a suitable match is available and the other tyre on the axle has compatible tread, condition and specification.
Replacing an axle pair may be preferable when:
- The opposite tyre is also heavily worn
- Tread differences would be substantial
- A matching single tyre is unavailable
- Both tyres are approaching replacement
All four may require consideration when several tyres are worn, specifications are mixed, or the manufacturer requires close tread matching for an all-wheel-drive system.
There is no universal rule requiring four new tyres after every puncture. The correct decision depends on vehicle compatibility and manufacturer guidance.
What Should You Check When Buying a Used Car?
A current MOT and a seller’s claim that the vehicle has “good tyres” should not replace a physical check.
Inspect:
- Tread on all four tyres
- Inner-edge wear
- Sizes and ratings
- Date codes
- Sidewall cracking
- Bulges
- Previous repairs
- Mixed tread patterns
- Directional fitment
- The spare or inflation kit
- Previous tyre advisories
The vehicle’s MOT history can reveal earlier tyre failures or advisories, although it does not prove the tyres remain in the same condition today. Check the vehicle’s MOT history on GOV.UK.
When tread is low, include tyres, fitting, balancing and possible alignment work in the real purchase cost.
What Should Garages and Mobile Fitters Record?
Clear records help trade professionals explain what they measured and recommended.
Useful details include:
- Vehicle registration
- Date and mileage
- Tyre position
- Lowest tread reading
- Pressure
- Visible defects
- Replacement recommendation
- Customer decision
- Fitted specification
- Invoice details
Suitable customer wording includes:
The tyre is below the legal tread requirement and should not continue in normal road use.
For a legal tyre close to the limit:
The tyre currently remains above the minimum, but replacement should be planned because little legal tread margin remains.
Avoid promising a future MOT pass or a guaranteed number of miles. Tyre wear depends on pressure, alignment, load, road surface, vehicle type and driving style.
What Should Trade Buyers Check When Buying Wholesale Stock?
Wholesale buyers need a commercially useful stock mix, not simply a low unit price.
Important factors include:
- Fast-moving sizes
- Full load and speed ratings
- Van and reinforced specifications
- Tread ranges
- Matching pairs
- Brand and model mix
- Date-code ranges
- Wear consistency
- Delivery cost
- Storage capacity
- Customer demand
- Dispute and credit terms
Use this calculation:
Total landed order cost ÷ commercially saleable tyres = effective cost per saleable tyre
Include purchase price, delivery, handling, sorting, storage, rejected stock, credits and slow-moving sizes.
For example, an order costing £2,000 for 100 tyres appears to cost £20 each. If only 80 match the agreed stock requirements and local demand, the effective cost is £25 per commercially useful tyre before fitting and other overheads.
From G Tyres’ wholesale perspective, the cheapest headline price does not always create the strongest margin. Orders built around fast-moving sizes, clear tread expectations and matching-pair requirements are normally more useful than random stock bought only on unit cost.
What Common Mistakes Lead to Illegal Tyre Tread?
The most common mistakes are simple:
- Waiting until the MOT to check the tyres
- Measuring only one groove
- Ignoring the inner edge
- Assuming a valid MOT prevents police action
- Waiting for every wear bar to become flush
- Replacing the tyre but ignoring alignment or pressure problems
- Assuming a short journey is exempt
Each mistake comes from the same misunderstanding: tyre roadworthiness is an ongoing responsibility, not an annual test event.
Final Words: What Happens If You Drive with Illegal Tyre Tread?
Driving with illegal tyre tread can lead to an MOT failure, police action, penalty points and substantial fines. The maximum penalty can reach £2,500 and three points for each defective tyre.
The wider consequences may include reduced wet-road performance and additional scrutiny during a collision or insurance investigation.
The essential points are:
- The 1.6mm rule is a minimum, not a replacement target
- One reading cannot prove the whole tyre is legal
- Inner-edge wear can remain hidden
- Structural damage matters even with deep tread
- A current MOT does not guarantee continued roadworthiness
- Illegal tyres should be replaced without unnecessary driving
- Repeated uneven wear requires investigation
Regular tread checks are simpler and less expensive than dealing with a failed MOT, roadside penalty or collision investigation.
Trade Reader? Discuss Wholesale Stock with G Tyres
This guide is primarily for drivers, but G Tyres supplies part-worn tyre stock exclusively to the trade. Garages, mobile fitters, tyre retailers and used-car dealers can review the G Tyres wholesale part-worn tyre range or send their required sizes and quantities.
For current trade availability, call 01895 812 430 and ask for the free wholesale part-worn tyre buying checklist when discussing your size mix, tread expectations and delivery postcode.
Do Not Risk Driving on Illegal Tyre Tread
Frequently Asked Questions
Most car and light-van tyres need at least 1.6mm of tread in the primary grooves across the central three-quarters of the tread width and around the complete circumference. One groove measuring 1.6mm does not prove that the whole tyre meets the legal requirement.
A driver can potentially receive a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre. The precise outcome depends on the tyre condition, the circumstances and whether the case is dealt with by a fixed penalty or court proceedings.
Potentially, yes. If the maximum three points were applied to each of four illegal tyres, the total could reach 12 points. Maximum fines could total £10,000. These figures represent potential maximum exposure rather than an automatic sentence in every case.
Yes. Tread below the applicable legal minimum is classified as a dangerous MOT defect. A vehicle with a dangerous defect fails the test and should not normally be driven until the problem has been repaired.
You should not continue using the vehicle normally after confirming that a tyre is below the legal minimum. Arrange mobile replacement, recovery, collection, on-site fitting or an appropriate legal spare rather than assuming that a garage booking makes the tyre roadworthy.
No. An MOT records the vehicle’s condition on the test date. A tyre can wear or become damaged afterward. The driver remains responsible for ensuring that the vehicle and its tyres are roadworthy whenever they are used.
A qualifying car tyre measuring exactly 1.6mm throughout the required tread area is technically at the legal minimum. It has no useful legal margin left, so additional driving may take it below the threshold before the next inspection.
Not automatically. Insurance outcomes depend on policy wording, roadworthiness, accident circumstances and whether tyre condition contributed to the loss. Drivers should report claims honestly and ask their insurer for advice relating to their specific policy.
Read the four-digit manufacturing code on the sidewall. The first two digits identify the production week and the last two identify the year. For example, 2424 means week 24 of 2024. The code gives context, but visible deterioration and storage history still require separate assessment.