How long do tyres last ?

[Fletch..gti]

This mite be a daft question but my rear tyres are six years old but they have
Only done 19 k from new , I only do around 3 k a year .
The tyres have loads of grip on them but how long do tyres last till they start to crack .
Also do tyres have a sort of sell by date use by date ?

[v2brett]

its hard to give a time on them but i think in recent years tyre manufacturers started to put dates on tyres so you know.  ill try find something on the net and get back to you.
i think if they are badly cracked they will fail an mot too 

[v2brett]

just looked and its the date they were made, some reading for you here mate; http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=11

[Andy]

all depends what make they are--but conti,bridgestone,dunlop,mich all start to crack after 3-4 years

[Fletch..gti]

The rears are Dunlop and no cracking , just wondered if
After six years the performance will still be good

[Andy]

if the tread is above 3mm then they will be fine

[Eccie]

This mite be a daft question but my rear tyres are six years old but they have
Only done 19 k from new , I only do around 3 k a year .
The tyres have loads of grip on them but how long do tyres last till they start to crack .
Also do tyres have a sort of sell by date use by date ?

Here is a link to some info on tyres - your good for ten years with Michelin

http://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/learn-share/buying-guide/when-should-i-change-my-tyres