Apr 2012: Part Worn Tyres – A Challenge to Tyre Safety

The costs associated with driving a vehicle are already touching record highs. Hence, buying illegal part worn tyres has become a “suitable” option for many drivers. However, Tyresafe’s thorough research negated this cost-saving myth with its findings.

The Reasons and Research

Credit crunch is getting many drivers to put their own, the passengers’ and other motorists’ life in jeopardy by going for part worn tyres, says the renowned tyre safety promoter group TyreSafe.

Recently this group undertook a countrywide investigation over a random 50 purchased part worn tyres. These were scrutinized by a third-party; a competent tyre expert and the ensuing results were quite alarming.

Shocking Revelations

The research revealed that 98% of the part worn tyres sold are done so unlawfully. More shocking was the revelation that more than 33% of these tyres were critically damaged and seriously non-compliant.

In one of those 50 tyres, presence of a metal piece penetrating into the tread for a dangerous 5 cm length was found. This tyre could have been a potentially fatal one because of its possible sudden and complete failure, in case it had been fixed to a vehicle. Several other violations in tyre safety included perilous and unsafe tyre repairs, bead breakage, bare cords and facts revealing run flat damage.

Reactions from the Motor World

Tyresafe chairman expressed his concern about the results of this survey in a statement mentioning that in spite of the presence of several clear-cut guidelines for the sale and purchase of part-worn tyres, it is quite obvious that those are not being met.

Apart from exposing their precious lives to serious risk, the buyers put other people’s lives at stake too. They should take their responsibility and accountability towards society seriously and judge for themselves whether the potential risk is worth buying an illicit part worn tyre.

Part Worn Tyres – Cost - effective?

Coming to the cost factor, contrary to belief prevalent, £6.33 is the average amount paid for the usage of 1 mm of tyre tread of a part worn tyre as against £5.32 paid for a new one. Clearly there is a 16% saving on the motoring cost when you go for a new, safe tyre.

Efforts for Averting The Danger

Despite being marked suitably, it becomes impossible to gauge the accurate internal condition, the history of the tyre and its safety credentials, adds Mr. Jackson.

Tyresafe’s endeavours have received full-fledged support from renowned industry figures like Motor Codes, a well-established company providing OFT-recognized codes to be observed in the motor world. Its MD, Mr. Chris Mason applauded their efforts in imparting right information to the consumers in order to make the right choice while replacing tyres. He added that the subject of dangers associated with part worn tyres needs to be addressed comprehensively whether through instructing or rigorous enforcement if needed.

Tyresafe’s consistent attempts to enhance tyre safety are commendable and they have also put up multiple resources on www.tyresafe.org to aid tyre traders understand their role in tyre safety. They have dedicated an entire section to this aspect of tyre safety where relevant information can be downloaded for free.