If you drive in the UK, you already know the “real” tyre test happens on damp roundabouts, broken tarmac, winter rain, and the occasional surprise frost. In 2025, the tyre market has been shaped by two big forces: stronger demand for all-season tyres (because UK weather rarely commits) and growing attention on wear/abrasion (because tyres are a cost and an environmental factor).
So instead of guessing, this guide leans on what mattered across 2025: independent group tests for grip and control, and published wear/abrasion findings for longevity. For example, Auto Express’s 2025 summer tyre group test crowned the Pirelli P Zero (PZ5) overall winner, with Bridgestone and Hankook right behind in a very tight field. Auto Express And in its 2025/2026 all-season test, Auto Express again put Pirelli on top with the Cinturato All Season SF3. Auto Express
Let’s break down the tyre brands that consistently make sense for UK drivers who want both performance and tyre life.
How to judge “longevity” and “performance” the smart way
Performance is not just dry grip. In the UK, wet braking, aquaplaning resistance, and predictable handling matter most. That is exactly why many UK-led tests weight wet performance heavily. mobile tyre fitting
Longevity is mainly about wear (how fast tread disappears) and whether the tyre keeps safe wet grip as it wears. There is also increasing focus on tyre abrasion/wear measurement as a regulated metric in the near future. Energy Efficient Products
And remember: in the UK, the legal minimum tread depth for cars is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters around the whole circumference. GOV.UK Many safety sources recommend replacing earlier (often around 3mm) for better wet performance. TyreSafe | Safe Tyres Save Lives
The best tyre brands in 2025 for UK drivers
1) Pirelli — Best for “performance-first” drivers (and strong 2025 test wins)
If your priority is confident grip and refinement, Pirelli had a standout year in UK-facing testing.
Summer performance: Auto Express named Pirelli P Zero (PZ5) the overall winner in its 2025 summer tyre test, noting it topped wet and dry areas and delivered “superb refinement.”
All-season performance: Auto Express also named Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 the winner for UK conditions, calling it a definitive all-season choice thanks to strong wet and dry braking and a great driving feel.
Longevity reality check: Some wear studies show Pirelli can trade abrasion for grip on certain generations (higher abrasion averages compared to the lowest-wear brands in ADAC’s dataset).
Who should buy Pirelli in the UK: Drivers who want sharp, confidence-building performance and are happy to pay for it—especially if you pick newer generations that improved balance.
2) Michelin — Best “longevity + safety when worn” reputation in 2025
Michelin remains the safest answer if you want tyres that last while staying strong in wet conditions.
Wear/abrasion leadership: In an ADAC analysis using a future-focused methodology, Michelin had the lowest average abrasion among major brands referenced (52 mg/km/t). Cloudinary
2025 touring focus: The Michelin Primacy 5 launched in Europe in January 2025, with reporting that it improves wear life and targets wet safety plus efficiency. Tyre Reviews
Who should buy Michelin in the UK: High-mileage commuters, family drivers, rideshare, and anyone who wants strong wet confidence without replacing tyres too often.
3) Continental — Best balanced choice for everyday UK driving
Continental’s strength is consistency: strong wet grip, predictable handling, and solid all-round scores.
All-season consistency: In Auto Express’s all-season test, Continental finished 2nd overall, close to the top spot. Auto Express
Wear/abrasion: ADAC’s brand-level averages placed Continental among the better wear performers (63 mg/km/t) in the referenced dataset. Cloudinary
All-season shortlists: Tyre Reviews’ 2025/26 round-up also lists Continental AllSeasonContact 2 among “Best All Season Tyres.” Tyre Reviews
Who should buy Continental in the UK: Drivers who want a “no drama” tyre—strong wet performance, good comfort, and dependable behaviour across the year.
4) Goodyear — Strong all-rounder with good wear credentials
Goodyear is often a safe bet when you want a blend of grip, comfort, and mileage.
Wear/abrasion: ADAC’s referenced averages put Goodyear among the stronger wear performers (65 mg/km/t). Cloudinary
All-season presence: Goodyear’s all-season options regularly appear in serious comparison sets, and Tyre Reviews lists it within the all-season landscape it analysed. Tyre Reviews
Who should buy Goodyear in the UK: Mixed driving (motorway + city), drivers who want strong wet manners, and people who care about total cost over the tyre’s life.
5) Hankook — Best “value without feeling cheap” (and strong 2025 results)
Hankook has been closing the gap to premium brands while keeping pricing more reasonable.
2025 performance: In the Auto Express 2025 summer group test, Hankook placed 3rd overall in a tight top pack. Auto Express
Wear/abrasion: ADAC’s dataset placed Hankook as second-best average abrasion behind Michelin (62 mg/km/t). Cloudinary
Who should buy Hankook in the UK: Smart-budget drivers who still care about wet safety and want strong value per mile.
6) Bridgestone — Excellent grip, but check the wear trade-off
Bridgestone can deliver high performance, but some datasets show a wear compromise on certain generations.
2025 performance: Bridgestone placed 2nd overall in the Auto Express 2025 summer tyre test. Auto Express
All-season strength: In Auto Express’s all-season test, Bridgestone was 3rd overall and stood out in wet braking. Auto Express
Wear note: ADAC’s brand averages flagged Bridgestone with higher abrasion in the referenced sample (78 mg/km/t). Cloudinary
Who should buy Bridgestone in the UK: Drivers who prioritise wet braking and control, and are okay with monitoring tread more closely.
Quick UK buying checklist (so you do not waste money)
Use your exact tyre size + correct load/speed rating (match what your car requires).
Read the EU tyre label (still used in Great Britain): it highlights rolling resistance (efficiency), wet grip, and external noise. rac.co.uk
Prioritise wet grip for UK roads. The EU framework also positions wet grip as a proxy for wet braking distance. Energy Efficient Products
Replace before “danger zone” tread: legal is 1.6mm, but many recommend earlier (often around 3mm) for wet safety. GOV.UK+1
Get alignment checked if tyres wear unevenly—this is one of the biggest tyre-life killers.
5 FAQs
1) Which tyre brand lasts the longest in the UK?
For longevity-focused drivers, Michelin is consistently strong on wear/abrasion in major datasets, and is widely chosen for high-mileage use.
2) Are all-season tyres worth it in the UK?
Often yes—because UK conditions are wet and changeable. In 2025/26 testing, premium all-season tyres (like Pirelli SF3, Continental ASC2) performed strongly across categories.
3) What is the legal tyre tread depth in the UK?
For cars and light vans, it is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters around the full circumference. For cars and light vans, it is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters around the full circumference. For cars and light vans, it is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters around the full circumference.
4) What matters more for UK safety: dry grip or wet grip?
Wet grip. UK weather makes wet braking and aquaplaning resistance far more relevant day-to-day, and UK tests often weight wet results heavily.
5) How do I compare tyres quickly when shopping online?
Use the EU label as a fast filter (wet grip, rolling resistance, noise), then cross-check with a recent independent group test for your tyre type (summer vs all-season).