Lidl is releasing a new multi-purpose car gadget this weekend that can help UK drivers avoid hefty fines and penalty points for defective tyres. The Ultimate Speed 5-in-1 Tyre Pressure Gauge goes on sale on Sunday, September 27, priced at £7.99 for Lidl Plus members and £9.99 for regular shoppers.
Fines and points for illegal tyres
Under UK road traffic laws, police can issue fines on a per-tyre basis. A vehicle with a full set of defective tyres could cost a motorist up to £10,000 in court fees alongside 12 penalty points in the most severe case. Legal tyre tread depth must be at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread width, running continuously around the entire outer circumference.
Driving on tyres below this threshold compromises vehicle handling, increases wet-weather stopping distances, and raises the risk of aquaplaning. Severely under-inflated or over-inflated tyres can render a vehicle legally "unfit for purpose," carrying the same penalty as a bald tyre: an immediate £2,500 fine and three penalty points per wheel. Illegal tread or incorrect pressures also cause an automatic MOT failure and can invalidate insurance in the event of an accident.
Features of the new Lidl gadget
The compact tool features a digital air-pressure reader displaying readings in PSI or bar, plus an integrated manual tread-depth gauge. Its built-in colour-coded traffic light index lets drivers identify when a tyre enters the critical red zone (under 2mm), signalling replacement is needed before reaching the illegal 1.6mm limit.
According to the product description, the device offers five functions: digital air pressure gauge, LED light, emergency hammer, seat belt cutter, and tyre tread depth gauge. It indicates tread depth with blue, yellow, or red, has a battery-saving auto switch-off function, and suits cars, off-road vehicles, motorcycles, or bicycles with Schrader valves. Four measuring units are available: PSI, bar, kPa, and kg/cm².
Drivers should check tyre pressures when tyres are cold, as driving generates friction that heats the air inside and expands it, artificially inflating the pressure reading.
