Are Part-Worn Tyres Worth It?

Part-worn tyres, also known as second-hand or used tyres, are an increasingly popular option among vehicle owners looking to save money or be more sustainable. However, there are a number of serious regulations governing their use, as well as continuing discussions about their safety, soundness, and environmental benefit. Below is an article which covers every key aspect of part-worn tyres in great detail.

What Are Part-Worn Tyres?

Part-worn tyres are tyres that are indicated as having been used on another vehicle, but have sufficient tread remaining to be sold for further use. Generally, part-worn tyres come from cars which are written off, cars which are imported (often from countries where the minimum tread standards are higher), or loosely used, as they have been replaced before their full usable life expectancy can be realised.

The Law Related to Part-Worn Tyres

In the UK and many other geographies, selling and fitting part-worn tyres is permitted, provided that strict regulations are adhered to. The Motor Vehicle Tyres (Safety) Regulations 1994 and subsequent guidelines require that the following points be met:

  • The tyre's tread depth must be no less than 2mm across the entire width and circumference.
  • The tyre must not have any significant cuts, bulges, or exposed plies or cords, and must be free of damage from penetration that has not been repaired.
  • Part-worn tyres must be stamped permanently and legibly, the terms ‘PART WORN’ shall appear in capital lettering and must be at least 4mm in height and shall not be hot stamped or cut into the rubber.
  • Retreaded tyres must have an ECE approval mark or the relevant British standard (BS AU 144e, etc.) and a load and speed category symbol.
  • The tyre must have passed an inflation test to ensure the Tyre holds pressure safely when sold.
  • A check should be made, either inside or outside, to verify structural integrity before selling, even if the tyre is not mounted to a wheel.

Why Do People Buy Part-Worn Tyres?

Cost Considerations

Money is likely the most popular reason to replace, purchase or fit part-worn tyres. New Tyres Pontypool can range from about £50 for a budget tyre to several hundred pounds for a premium brand, whereas the cost of a part-worn tyre may be around half that price. Part-worn tyres will seem reasonable to careful drivers, perhaps owners of older vehicles might consider part-worn tyres to be a means of prudently saving money in the short term.

Advantages to the Environment

Part-worn tyres also appeal to those who are interested in sustainability. Reusing tyres that would have otherwise been discarded, not contributing waste to landfills and reducing restorative resources required to produce new tyres. Fitting part-worn tyres could be regarded as recycling or extending a product's life cycle.

Concerns Regarding Safety

Safety is the biggest concern with part-worn tyres. There are regulations in place, but studies and government checks find time and again that many of the part-worn tyres that are in circulation do not meet minimum safety requirements. The inspection found that common faults include: 

  • Poor repairs/patches.
  • Exposed cords.
  • Internal or external structural weakness.
  • Bead damage or evidence of incorrect inflation.
  • Debris or foreign matter lodged in the tread.

If any of these faults are present, a tyre's safety is compromised, which can increase the likelihood of catastrophic risk of a tyre blowout, poor brake performance, or risk of hydroplaning, losing tyre integrity resulting in sudden disintegration, or a general catastrophic tyre failure. All of these risks can be dangerous, if not fatal.

Best Practices When Buying Part-Worn Tyres

If you are purchasing part-worn tyres, you should:

  • Only buy from reputable dealers who comply with all applicable regulations and who follow comprehensive inspection procedures at their outlets.
  • Ensure you see the tread depth, and any wording such as 'PART WORN' along with any approval markings or codes. 
  • Ask for evidence of the tyre not only being inflated, but also checked over internally and externally.
  • Avoid any tyre that has any sign of repair to the sidewall or bead, visible damage or has less than 3 mm tread for safety, although the legal limit is 2 mm.

Conclusion 

Although part worn tyres Pontypool may represent a cost and environmental advantage, if the safety aspect is viewed with caution, it can make it challenging to recommend to certain vehicle users, especially those who intend to use the vehicle as a taxi company carrying passengers or do significant annual mileage. The safety of a vehicle depends on the tyres fitted, and even the smallest undiscovered defect can be disastrous. Usually, it transpires that savings on the investment in tyres are dwarfed by the perception of danger. Every time you think about your car tyres, always consider the dangers, and only purchase part-worn tyres from reputable sources that engage in the comprehensive inspection procedures required under part-worn tyres legislation.

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