With over four-million part worn tyres exchanging hands each year, the crisis of illegal part worn tyres is starting to come under the spotlight, and councils across Britain are warning motorists to watch out. But just how bad is this epidemic and can motorists be blamed for wanting to save money on replacement tyres?
New or Used Tyres? How much of a difference is there.
Last year from those four-million part worn tyres which were sold in the UK, sources estimate the over half of these tyres were already past legal limits, therefore not only dangerous but also illegal. Across the UK and Ireland, councils are beginning to notice that the part worn problem is not just a passing trend but instead it is something that is here to stay. After all with part worn sales booming, there is a great deal of money to be made so many garages are introducing them into their sales strategy, but at what risk to their customers?
Motorists want to buy cheap
We are all aware that everyone loves a good bargain, and with part worn tyres it seems that superficially many motorists are getting an exceptional deal. In parts of the UK prices for a part worn tyres can be from as little as a mere £15, and if you compare that to the price of a budget tyre at an average of £35 it seems a no-brainer for main cash-strapped Britons. But the sad fact is, it’s that many motorists are not clued up to the basic principles of tyre safety, or the impact it can have on your vehicle handling, safety and even lives.
Councils Crackdown
Councils from Newtonabbey to as far as Ballymoney are launching campaigns a bid to warn motorists when they buy part worn, and approaching retailers to ensure that the tyres they sell are in line with tyre regulations. Many councils are conducting their own regional studies into how deep-rooted the problem actually is, and what the state of part worns being sold actually is. Of course, this is not a problem which can be solved overnight. In the current climate it will take a lot for motorists to be swayed from buying part worns. However the truth is, is that if motorists shop around when purchasing their new tyres, they can often save more than they expected and be safe in the knowledge that the tyres they are investing in are brand new and are not illegal. (We recommend checking out TyreQuote.com, we hear they can save you a great deal on new tyres in your area, giving you quality, price and service).
Part worn regulations
The government has put into place regulations that any part worn tyre seller must adhere too, however latest statistics show that over 90% of part worn tyres on sale are in fact illegal and disregard the following regulations:
• Any cuts bigger than 25mm or 10% of the section width of the tyre measured on the outside and deep enough to reach the ply or the cord;
• Any internal lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial separation of the structure;
• Any of the ply or cord exposed internally or externally or any penetration damage which has not been properly repaired;
• They must also have a minimum tread of 2mm.
It seems though that the key way to get motorists to take note is through the media and online. With general knowledge about tyres being so low tyre organisations, garages and officials need to be shouting so people will hear that part worns can kill.