Tyre Labelling: How to Compare Tyres in Great Britain
A tyre label lets you compare three measured characteristics of a particular tyre model. It is a useful shortlist tool, not a full verdict on safety, longevity or suitability for your car.
Read the three main measures
Fuel-efficiency grading relates to rolling resistance: less energy lost as the tyre rolls can reduce fuel consumption. Wet grip grades reflect a standardised wet-braking test. Neither is a promise of a particular fuel bill or stopping distance on every road.
The noise figure is external rolling noise measured in decibels, not the sound you will hear inside the car. When comparing candidates, check all three measures for the exact model and specification rather than judging on brand or a single grade.
Great Britain is not on the same label scale as Northern Ireland
DVSA guidance says the Great Britain label classifies tyres on an A-to-G scale. In Northern Ireland, fuel efficiency and wet grip use A to E, while external noise also has an A-to-C class. Do not describe the newer EU-style A-to-E scale as the compulsory GB scale.
The Northern Ireland label additionally includes details such as supplier, model, size and tyre class and, where relevant, suitability for snow or ice. An EU-style label seen online may therefore look different from a label supplied under GB rules; compare like with like and ask the seller for the applicable label information.
What a label cannot tell you
The label does not rank a tyre's dry handling, wear life, aquaplaning behaviour, comfort or performance throughout its lifespan. It also cannot tell you whether that tyre is approved for your particular vehicle. Independent tests of the exact model can add context when two options have similar grades.
A high wet-grip grade does not make a summer tyre suitable for snow. For a year-round or winter choice, assess the tyre category and winter marking separately from its wet-braking label grade.
Use it in a practical buying decision
First confirm the vehicle-approved specification and the kind of driving you actually do. Then compare the applicable label values across tyres of that specification, balancing wet grip, efficiency and external noise according to your priorities.
Ask the retailer to identify the exact tyre model if a listing is vague. The DVSA says GB sellers must make label information available to customers during the buying process, including when the tyres themselves are not visible. See the related size and premium-versus-budget guides for those separate decisions.
Related tyre-care guides
Compare tyre types and labels
Sources and further reading
This general guidance draws on the manufacturer and UK safety sources below. Your vehicle handbook and the instructions for your exact tyre take priority.