PART-WORN TYRES - IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE?
It is important to know that although maintenance is costly, it is required to take your car for regular checks in order to ensure safety and make it roadworthy. However, if you are tight on budget then one thing you can consider is to go for part-worn tyres.
These tyres might seem to be looking great from the outside but in reality, they might compromise on the safety feature which is really important.
What are part-worn tyres?
It is exactly what the name suggests, part-worn tyres are second-hand tyres. These are usually found by scrap merchants who deal with old tyres and they sell them to the local public who are interested in trying one. It is not limited to the United Kingdom rather these partly worn-out tyres are also imported from European Nations like Germany.
As there are a variety of tyres available in the market, partly worn tyres are usually economical. It might be a great choice for someone but lethal in the eyes of another. According to a survey in 2017 more than 63% of part-worn tyres are unsafe to drive and not roadworthy. So one question might arise whether these tyres are legal or not! Well, it is legal to buy and sell part-worn tyres in the UK. At the same time, you can sell any tyre that previously had a puncture only after it has been repaired properly. As per a report about 5.5 million tyres (part-worn) are sold each year.
However, as per part-worn tyres Pontypool, you cannot sell part-worn tyres till it is fully complied with the rules set by Consumers Protection Act. So there are a few rules that should be followed before selling part-worn tyres or else you might get into trouble. Some of the requirements are as follows:
- The tyre should have no external or internal damage like lumps, tears, cuts, bulges, or unrepaired damage.
- Tyres Pontypool should have no exposed cords or piles.
- Tyres should pass the inflation test before you opt to sell it.
- The groove of the tyre should be visible.
- The tyre should have around 2mm of tread depth around and across the full breadth of the tread.
- Tyres should have “Part Worn” stamped at a height of 4mm and it should be mentioned in capital letters.
As per part worn tyres Pontypool, you should have one of the following things mentioned if they are re-treaded
- There must be certain markings on the sidewall next to the ECE-approved mark, such as BS AU 144b, 144c, etc.
- There should be markings on the tyre to identify the original manufacturer and the model number.
- If a tyre has BS AU 144e marking on it then there should be a speed category symbol and a load capacity marking.
Despite such regulations, there are many sellers who do not adhere to these regulations. As per Trading standards, more than 75% of used tyres fail to meet safety standards. On the other hand, about 34% might have dangerous life-threatening defects.
Risks of buying part-worn tyres
Tyres are generally taken out from a vehicle when it has about 3mm of the tread left. This is the exact measurement after which treads start to lose grip much faster. This not only affects the efficiency of the vehicle but also the traction and the braking capacity which is especially noted during wet weather conditions.
To keep the tread pattern in sync it is recommended that we replace the tyres on the axile pairs. This is vital for channelling water equally and not on any particular spot. Moreover, it also helps in preventing any pressure, especially on the axle shaft.
Replacing tyres is easy if you opt for new tyres but it is equally difficult if you opt for part-worn tyres. This is because tyres with the same tread pattern from the same garage are not at all an easy task. Moreover new tyres last much longer which can be up to 20,000 miles or more but on the other hand when we consider part-worn tyres then they might be cheap and require frequent replacing.
What is the importance of tread depth?
According to a survey by Tyres Pontypool, the tread depth of a tyre is very important because it improves the performance of the vehicle as well as improves traction. It is important in preventing punctures as it creates a strong barrier between the road and the inner lining of the tyre. Moreover, during the rainy season, the tread depth helps in displacing water from the tyre and decreasing the risk of puncture on the road.
Conclusion
Regular checking and maintaining tread depth is not only beneficial for your tyre because it helps to enhance the safety of the vehicle. At the same time, it helps in extending the longevity of the tyre as well as helps in conserving fuel. Moreover, it is recommended that part-worn tyres with tread depth below 1.6mm should be replaced because it increases the risk of accidents and is not roadworthy.
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