Whether your tyres are worn or damaged due to a pothole, it can be tempting to buy second-hand tyres in order to save money. However, despite this seeming a good idea, motorists are now being warned that second-hand tyres are in fact dangerous and could put them at risk when driving. So, why should you avoid second-hand tyres next time you use a 24 hour mobile tyre fitting Yorkshire company or services anywhere else in the country? Let’s take a closer look, below.
Reduces Road Safety
If the tyres are no longer on another vehicle, then there could be something wrong with them. Although second-hand tyres can appear in good condition, they might have suffered deterioration in quality. In turn, this can have a negative impact on the performance of the vehicle, including the road noise, energy efficiency and safety. To prevent the sale of inadequate tyres that could contribute to road traffic accidents, the Motor Vehicle Tyres Regulations Act 1994 was put in place. This states that tyres must meet standards relating to the condition of the tread and rubber depth. Plus, those that sell part-worn tyres must provide their name and registration number on the products.
Increases Inspection Difficulty
A customer will rarely see the condition of a tyre before it is fitted, especially if the tyre is purchased online. Unfortunately, this means that retailers can get away with repairing punctures or tears badly, or sometimes not at all, without the customer being aware.
Part-Worn Tyres
The tyres on your car play an essential role in acceleration, steering, cornering and breaking, which is why the tyre pressure and tread depth is crucial to maintain control. Even part-worn tyres that have been inflated and have their tread depth regularly checked, they may still have hidden faults and could impact your safety. Plus, if the previous owner of the tyre didn’t take good care of it, you could inherit some potentially dangerous flaws, without even knowing it.
Legal Limits
Brand-new tyres have a tread depth around 8mm, with the legal minimum set at 1.6mm, even though most manufacturers recommend 3mm. Tyres with a greater tread depth make them less subject to aquaplaning on wet roads as the tread helps them to prevent a layer of water that forms between the road surface and the tyre. In turn, this preserves traction and retains control during sudden turning or breaking.
Longer Lifespan
You don’t know how long the tyres were previously used for on another vehicle, so you won’t know how long they will last on your car until they need to be replaced. Therefore, you will be replacing the tyres more often than if you purchased new tyres in the first place. Although it may seem the cost-effective solution at the time, in the long term, you’ll probably save more money from just buying new tyres in the first place.
As you can see, you should always try to avoid second-hand tyres if you want to keep yourself and your passengers safe. Newer tyres have better grip from the tread depth, so will provide you with better control as the driver.
