What's this then?

Motorists are being warned about the dangers of buying part-worn tyres following a study by TyreSafe and the National Tyre Distributors Association in conjunction with Trading Standards. Just over a third of the tyres inspected contained defects that meant they should not have been sold, while 97% had not been marked 'part-worn' as required by law.

What was wrong with them?

Tyres were purchased by mystery shoppers and checked by independent inspectors. Defects uncovered in the study included dangerous puncture repairs, exposed cords, damaged beads, penetration damage and evidence of being used under-inflated. The Consumer Protection Act means it is an offence to sell used tyres that don't meet a number of safety checks such as structural integrity, inflation, that they have been properly repaired if necessary and that they have at least 2mm of tread over the entire circumference. It is also mandatory that tyres are permanently marked 'part-worn'.

But they're good value?

Not according to the reported findings of a previous TyreSafe study; the cost per useable mm of tread on a part-worn tyre was £6.33 - compared with £5.32 per mm for a new tyre.

Anything else?

"The results of this latest investigation are truly horrific," exclaimed Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. "Your safety on the road is reliant on the condition of your tyres so it's essential that retailers only offer for sale either brand new tyres, or those used ones that have been carefully and thoroughly inspected to ensure they meet the various requirements laid down by law."

Of course it is worth remembering that 64% of the tyres inspected did not have any defects. But if you're looking at saving money, buying part-worn tyres might not always be the smartest choice.

John Lambert - 23 Oct 2014