Van tyres are fundamentally different from car tyres. They are built to carry significantly heavier loads, withstand the demands of urban stop-start driving and high annual mileages, and comply with stricter legal requirements for commercial vehicles. Fitting the wrong tyre to a commercial vehicle is not only dangerous — it can invalidate your insurance.
Understanding Load Index for Vans
Commercial vehicle tyres carry a higher load index than equivalent passenger car tyres. The load index specifies the maximum weight each tyre can support. Many vans also require C-rated (commercial) tyres that carry a reinforced construction rating, visible as the letter C in the tyre designation — for example 215/65 R16C. Fitting a standard passenger car tyre to a van that requires a C-rated commercial tyre is unsafe and illegal under UK road traffic law.
Tread Depth for Commercial Vehicles
Light commercial vehicles under 3.5 tonnes follow the same 1.6mm legal minimum tread depth as passenger cars. However, given the weight these vehicles carry and the stopping distances involved, replacing commercial tyres at 3mm rather than the legal minimum is strongly recommended. Heavy goods vehicles have a higher minimum legal tread depth requirement of 1mm across the full width of the tread.
How Our Mobile Van Tyre Service Works
We stock a comprehensive range of commercial vehicle tyres for all major van models including Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Transporter, Vauxhall Vivaro and Renault Trafic. Our mobile units carry the equipment to fit and balance commercial tyres on-site at your premises, depot or at the roadside. We cover Glasgow and Bradford for same-day commercial vehicle tyre fitting. Call 0141 673 6841 to check stock and availability.