[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1614096867152{background-color: #f1f1f1 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″]

[vc_column_text el_class=”subtext”]

As arguably the primary safety feature on your vehicle, TyreSafe strongly recommends buying new tyres, not part-worn or ‘used’ tyres.

Part-worns can have devastating consequences.

[/vc_column_text]

[vc_column_text]This TyreSafe video was compiled to demonstrate the shocking discoveries TyreSafe made when purchasing fifty part-worn tyres. The video highlights the potential dangers of driving on part-worns, with devastating consequences for one driver, Keith Johnson, who was left paralysed from the chest down after an accident where tyres were identified as a major contributing factor. The tyres had a tread depth significantly below the legal minimum depth of 1.6mm.

Keith, from the North East, had opted for part-worn tyres to save money, two months prior to an outing with friends in his Renault Megane Scenic on a cold, damp morning in Cumbria. His car started to skid on an innocuous bend, rolled several times and ended up in a field.  Luckily, his passengers escaped uninjured, but Keith was less fortunate, now only able to move his arms and neck. The tyres had a tread depth significantly below the legal minimum depth of 1.6mm.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/XFvfnJT-m-g”]

[vc_column_text]During TyreSafe’s investigation into part-worns, of fifty part-worn tyres purchased, only one was begin sold legally, correctly marked and inspected. The remaining 49 tyres, sold as part-worns, were not marked as part-worn tyres, which is required by law.

Perhaps most alarmingly, was the percentage of tyres bought which carried not just minor to moderate damage, but potentially lethal damage. One tyre, in particular, had a piece of metal protruding through the tyre tread by approximately 5 cm. Other issues identified in the rest of the illegally sold part-worns included sub-standard repairs, exposed cords, damage to the beads, evidence of running under inflated and other forms of potentially dangerous damage.

Over a third of the tyres examined had damage deeming them unsafe. Which brings us to the most fundamental problem with part-worn tyres; you just don’t know their history.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1599829308867{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;border-radius: 1px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/ya3oQcJlze8″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″]

[vc_column_text]This video features tyres that were all bought from part-worn retailers by TyreSafe and Trading Standards during investigations.

The investigations took place to gain a stronger understanding of the part-worn tyre market, legal compliance and the ongoing sales of sub-standard, damaged tyres. The investigations revealed that over 93% of part-worns were not compliant with the law. Between a third and half were found to have defects which made them unsafe to use.

While many consumers may think that they are saving money purchasing part-worn tyres for their vehicle, in some cases, part-worns being sold contained cracks, bulges, reduced tread depth and even foreign objects in the wall that could lead to catastrophic consequences when driven on.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1614096896818{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #f1f1f1 !important;border-radius: 1px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″]

[vc_column_text]

• 94% of part-worn tyres inspected by TyreSafe were being sold illegally.

• Of the 278 part-worn retailers investigated, 93% (261) were non-compliant

• Over 63% of part-worn tyres were unsafe to return to the road

• 22% of the tyres inspected were ten years or older

• 18% had been repaired incorrectly

• The oldest tyre found during investigations was 29 years old

• 159 people were killed or seriously injured as a result of defective tyre related accidents (UK annual average)

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″]

[vc_column_text]Adequate tread depth is essential for safe driving on wet roads as the tread grooves help to remove water from the contact patch between the tyre and the road surface, which is essential for effective acceleration, cornering and braking. A tyre with lower tread depth is less effective at removing water from the road, leading to longer stopping distances and reduced road safety. Indeed, according to tests conducted by the British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association, braking distance in wet weather of a tyre with only 1.6mm of tread depth is almost 12m longer than a new tyre from 50mph. Tyres are complex engineered products so it is not just their outer visual condition that affects road safety. A tyre is a high tech piece of equipment consisting of 30 different components which must all be in good condition to ensure your safety. Running tyres under-inflated or even hitting a pothole or kerb can cause serious damage to internal components of a tyre. As part-worn tyres are not required to be examined by x-ray for internal structural defects prior to their sale, it can be impossible to determine if any internal damage exists and the safety of the tyre has been compromised.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1599829308867{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;border-radius: 1px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″] [vc_column_text]As part-worn tyres are not required to be examined by x-ray for internal structural defects prior to their sale, it can be impossible to determine if any internal damage exists and the safety of the tyre has been compromised. A tyre is a high tech piece of equipment consisting of 30 different components which must all be in good condition to ensure your safety. Running tyres under-inflated or even hitting a pothole or kerb can cause serious damage to internal components of a tyre. Tyres are complex engineered products so it is not just their outer visual condition that affects road safety.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″] [vc_column_text]Many drivers buying part-worn tyres do so in the belief that they offer better value for money when compared with new tyres. However, this isn’t necessarily so and buyers should consider the cost per mm of useable tyre, rather than just the initial purchase price. New tyres are normally sold with around 8mm of tread depth, whereas part-worn tyres may have as little of 2mm of tread. With a legal minimum tread depth of 1.6mm in the UK, the cost per mm of useable tread of part-worn tyres can be considerably more than that of a new tyre. Equally, part-worn tyres will need to be replaced much sooner than a new tyre meaning further expenditure will be required. Drivers should remember that not only is it dangerous and unsafe to drive on tyres with less than 1.6mm of tread but it is also against the law and can result in fines of up to £2,500 and 3 penalty points per tyre.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1614096896818{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #f1f1f1 !important;border-radius: 1px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″] [vc_column_text]Adequate tread depth is essential for safe driving on wet roads as the tread grooves help to remove water from the contact patch between the tyre and the road surface, which is essential for effective acceleration, cornering and braking. A tyre with lower tread depth is less effective at removing water from the road, leading to longer stopping distances and reduced road safety. Indeed, according to tests conducted by the British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association, braking distance in wet weather of a tyre with only 1.6mm of tread depth is almost 12m longer than a new tyre from 50mph.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″] [vc_column_text]Adequate tread depth is essential for safe driving on wet roads as the tread grooves help to remove water from the contact patch between the tyre and the road surface, which is essential for effective acceleration, cornering and braking.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1599829308867{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;border-radius: 1px !important;}”][vc_column] [vc_column_text]Under The Motor Vehicle Tyres (Safety) Regulations 1994 (reg.7.) part of the Consumer Protection Act, it is an offence for anyone to sell part-worn tyres that do not meet the following principal requirements:

1. The structural integrity must not be compromised. It should be free of large cuts, any bulges or lumps both internally and externally. No plies or cords should be exposed.
2. Tyres must have passed an inflation test prior to sale.
3. The original grooves must still be clearly visible in their entirety and must be to a depth of at least 2mm across the full breadth of the tread, around its entire circumference.
4. Part worn tyres which have not been retreaded must clearly show the relevant ‘E’ mark alongside which ‘PART-WORN’ must be permanently and legibly applied in letters at least 4mm high. These words cannot be hot branded or cut into the tyre.
5. Part-worn tyres that have been retreaded must have one of the following:

• BS AU 144b, 144c, 144d, or 144e markings on the side wall (if first supplied as a retread on or before 31 December 2003 an ECE approval mark (if first supplied as a retread on or after 1 January 2004)
• a permanent mark to identify the original model and manufacturer, the word ‘RETREAD’ moulded onto or into its sidewall (in upper case letters at least 4mm high) and further markings in accordance with ECE rules. You may need to seek further advice as to which rules apply
• The indication ‘PART-WORN’ must also appear next to the BS or ECE approval mark, or next to the word ‘RETREAD’
• For tyres marked BS AU 144e, a speed category symbol and load capacity marking should be present.
• A tyre has to comply with all these requirements whether or not it is fitted to a rim.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

[/vc_column][/vc_row]