If you’re trying to save money, you may think a set of part-worn or used tyres offers an economic alternative to a brand new set. However, you may be buying into a false economy, and here’s why.
It is legal in the UK to buy used or part worn tyres if they meet certain criteria and are properly marked – however this is a best case scenario, with many garages not knowing the full origin or performance of the tyres they stock.
Garages throughout the UK may sell them with the best of intentions, but it is all too easy for unscrupulous sellers from mainland Europe to sell on part worn tyres that don’t meet UK standards.
Opting for part worn tyres can mean obtaining top-end tyre brands at budget prices, however there is a reason they were removed after a period of road use which begs the question – are they truly safe?
It is also difficult to tell why the tyres have been removed. They could have been repaired in an unsafe manner or have underlying damage before being sold on. They may also be older than the manufacturer’s recommended age limit which suggests the material may be less durable.
But it’s not only safety that’s in question. Driving on part worn tyres that aren’t roadworthy (whether to your knowledge of not) can invalidate your car insurance and carry a fine of up to £10,000 in addition to up to 12 penalty points.
Additionally they simply don’t last as long as a brand new set of tyres. They usually have around a 4mm tread left, which results in 2mm of usable tread as the legal limit is 1.6mm. Comparing this to a brand new tyre which has 6 or 7mm of usable tread, you are likely to need a replacement much more often which in the long term could amount to the cost of a brand new set of tyres or more.
Lindleys Autocentres does not take the risk when it comes to part-worn tyres and will never advise a motorist to buy them. Ultimately they can be unsafe and offer poor value for money despite the temptingly cheap price. We take the safety of our customers very seriously and strongly advise if your tyres need to be replaced, always opt for brand new tyres from expert fitters.
