You should maintain or exceed the minimum load rating.

 

Speed ratings?  Ref the BTMA

 

http://xukht3z7r3u3afw993ylh21d.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Replacing-car-tyres-important-information.pdf

 

Probably worth having a browse at the ETRTO website too

Edited 27 February, 201610 yr by brad1.8T

This nonsense with the 'tyres must have an equal or better speed rating to the original fitment' is just rubbish perpetuated by lazy VAG dealers, who simply can't be arsed looking up the actual requirements and has no basis in law. Both our cars, non-VAG, clearly state the minimum speed ratings on the tyre pressure sticker along with the minimum load rating. My Subaru even shows a separate lower speed rating for winter tyres.

When I had my old mkI octavia I was pondering why W rated tyres were required to cope with all 110bhp of smoggy fury lurking under the bonnet. I first asked the dealer what was the minimum speed rating required for my car. The first dealer didn't understand the question, the second didn't know. So I asked Skoda UK, they couldn't tell me what should have been fitted.

Interestingly my MkII, which can run the same size tyre has V rated tyres, despite being more powerful and having a higher top speed.

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The full unique 'car data' (available via erWin or co-operative dealership parts dude) for our cars includes spec of tyres fitted in the factory. In the case of our Fabia, that includes speed but not load rating, the Polo has load as well as speed. FWIW.

Edit: for the Fabia, the code is on the options sticker, as well as the full car data, haven't checked Polo.

Edited 28 February, 201610 yr by Wino