If you’re wondering about how often you should replace your tires so they stay road safe and LTO compliant, here’s the simple answer: Drivers are advised to replace tires when the tread is worn or when the tire is around 5–6 years old, even if it still “looks okay.” Rubber naturally hardens and weakens over time. Worn or old tires can cause skidding, blowouts, insurance claim problems, and even MVIS inspection failure.
As for the LTO: the government previously linked MVIS inspections to a 5-year tire age limit, but in late 2025, LTO Chief Markus Lacanilao clarified that there are no new tire-age rules being added. Still, old tires are a known safety hazard, and MVIS centers do check tire age, tread wear, and damage as part of their inspection steps, making it an important part of keeping vehicles roadworthy and avoiding problems with insurance claims.
How Often Should You Replace Your Tires?
The general recommendation is to replace tires every 5–6 years, or sooner if they are worn or damaged. Some manufacturers say tires can last up to 10 years, but only with yearly professional inspection.
The best way is to replace immediately if you notice:
- Tread wear bars showing
- Tread depth below 2/32 inch (use “penny test”)
- Cracks, bulges, cuts, or dry rot
- Vibration while driving
- Uneven wear
- Frequent air loss
Why age matters even if tread looks fine:
- Rubber breaks down from heat, oxygen, and UV rays
- Old rubber becomes brittle
- Tires stored poorly age faster
- Aged tires are more prone to blowouts
How to Check Tire Age
To check for the tire age, you can look for the DOT code on the sidewall.
Example: DOT XXXX3522
- 35 = Week produced
- 22 = Year produced
So 3522 means the tire was made in the 35th week of 2022.
What the LTO Says
According to the 2021 MVIS Guidelines regarding tire replacement and tire age:
- DOTr and LTO stated that tires older than 5 years would fail MVIS.
- MVICs checked:
- Tire size, load capacity, and speed rating
- Cracks, cuts, exposed cords
- Wear indicators
- Age based on DOT code
- Aged tires (5+ years) were marked “expired.”
In 2025:
- LTO Chief Markus Lacanilao denied new viral posts about “updated tire-age rules.”
- He clarified that no new rule is being added at the moment.
Current Practical Reality
Even without a strict new rule:
- MVIS centers still inspect tire wear, damage, and age as part of roadworthiness checks.
- Old tires may still affect registration, safety, and even vehicle insurance claims.
- Safety experts and manufacturers still widely recommend tire replacement at about 5 years.
Signs Your Tires Need Professional Checking
To tell if your tire needs professional checking and/or replacement, you can check for:
- Abnormal wear
- One side balding
- Center-only or shoulder-only wear
- Repeated facet wear
- After 5 years of use → Have them checked yearly
What To Do
If you are a driver and you wish to avoid problems caused by “expired” or overly damaged tires, make sure to:
- Check tread wear once a month.
- Inspect sidewalls for cracks and bulges.
- Find and read your DOT code.
- Replace tires older than 5–6 years.
- Before MVIS inspection, check if your tires may trigger a fail.
- If buying a used car or motorcycle, check tire age immediately.
- If unsure, get a quick inspection from a mechanic or tire shop.