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Pullman serviced 5/4/2011   tyres  no cracks very good treads but 2 dated 1996 and

1 dated 2009.  unit's weight   Ex works  675kg,   Max.  900kg   to cover this weight  (as recommended)   I  got  8ply  van tyres.  better safe than sorry.  Jock

Any cracks in the tyre wall are evidence that the tyre has degraded to a point where it is unfit for use. There is absolutely no grey area here. If you are stopped by the police then they will consider the tyres to be defective. The penalty for driving with defective tyres is £2500 fine and 3 penalty points for each defective tyre. So if you have a trailer with two tyres that are cracked you will be liable to a £5000 fine and 6 penalty points. (Note that each defective tyre is dealt with as a separate offence, so if you have bald tyres front and rear on your car you can lose your licence and receive a £10,000 fine). You will also not be allowed to continue on your journey. Instead you will have to either get your breakdon service to come and collect you, or have the police tow you away and charge you a significant amount for the privilige.

Even if you should escape being caught you run a significant risk of suffering a blow-out (the risk of which increases with speed, as do the potential consequences). If you have blow-out on an A-road or motorway, travelling at the speed limit of 60mph then there is every chance that you will lose control of the vehicle and your car and trailer will jacknife across the carriageway!

Driving with defective tyres puts your life, those of your passengers, and every other road user at risk. Replace your tyres.