Since water cannot be compressed, tires are designed to direct water away through their grooves, so they can remain in contact with the road. The experts at Virginia Tire & Auto recommend replacement at 4/32 of an inch - at this point, your tires will have trouble evacuating water and can negatively affect stopping distance. You will fail your Virginia vehicle inspection when your tread depth is below 2/32 of an inch. The tread on most new tires is anywhere from 10/32 of an inch to 11/32 of an inch. One factor to take into serious consideration is your tire tread depth.
Worn-out tires are a common cause for state inspection failure. Read: Virginia Vehicle Inspection Checklist 5 Things That Will Cause You to Fail a Virginia State Inspection Tires There are dozens of areas that technicians inspect, but there are a few in particular that commonly cause vehicles to fail. Although that’s not the end of the world, it’s wise to set yourself up to pass the first time around. With that said, it can be nerve-wracking to think about the possibility of failing your state inspection - one in ten do. Although this yearly chore can seem like an inconvenience, it’s keeping our roads and families safer. In Virginia specifically, the standards are high when it comes to vehicle safety and emissions. If you drive a car, then you’re required to pass a state inspection every year.