In strained times, it’s understandable why drivers are trying to reduce costs when it comes to car maintenance. One solution is to buy part worn and older tyres instead of brand new ones.

The UK Law on Part Worn Tyres

When it comes to part worn tyres, buying or selling, it’s not illegal, the industry body TyreSafe reports that around 5.5 million used tyres are sold in the UK every year. Suppliers are bound by law to match and meet a number of strict regulations, it’s important that second hand tyres are in a good condition, this includes being checked for bulges, large cuts and other visible damage, as well as none of the inside structure and cords being visible. They should also have at least 2 mm of tread across the width and around the circumference, they also need to be clearly and permanently marked as ‘part worn’, this should be shown in capital letters at least 4 mm in height on the tyre’s sidewalls.

These regulations seem very straight forward, many part worn tyre suppliers will be known to meet them, but if you are considering buying a brand new set of used tyres, we advise that you make sure where you are buying them from and comply with all of the required laws. You also need to remember that if the tyres don’t meet these minimum requirements, you could have a very serious accident.

The Advantages of Part-Worn Tyres

Buying a second hand car and not replacing the tyres, is the same as buying second hand tyres. Many people will have done that and will be unaware of where the tyres have come from and what their history is. 

In some cases part worn tyres have been shipped over from Germany, the minimum legal tread there is 3mm, in the UK it is 1.6mm, so a part worn tyre imported from Germany will have much more tread left on them and could possibly run a few thousand miles.

One big advantage of buying worn tyres is that they cost much less than buying brand new tyres. What’s more is, when you buy a set of used rubber, you will be able to buy higher quality tyres from bigger named brands, rather than budget tyres from manufacturers that you’ve never heard of.

One big advantage of buying part worn tyresis that they cost much less than buying brand new tyres. What;s more is, when you buy a set of used rubber, you will be able to buy more higher quality tyres from bigger named brands, rather than budget tyres from manufacturers that you’ve never heard of.

Disadvantages of Part Worn Tyres

Safety, it’s very simple, if someone has removed the set of tyres from their car, they will have done this because they deem them as no longer safe. If those tyres aren’t good enough for another driver, then are they good enough for you and your car?

As they have less tread than a brand new tyre, part worn tyres will provide less grip, especially in the wet. This means that your car will have much less traction as well as less cornering and braking grip.

TyreSafe’s surveys presented that around 98% of used tyres that have been sold in Britain, didn’t comply with the required regulations, around 34% could also be seen as dangerous. Even a tyre that does match regulations could still have a bad secret, whereas you can guarantee a brand new tyre won’t

It’s also important to note that second hand tyres won’t last as long as new tyres, you’ll need to replace them more often and the savings will also be much less substantial than how they seem initially. New tyres might have a tread of 8mm, and part worn tyres will be fit for a few hundred miles meaning they will need replacing quickly.

Alternatives

Previously, remoulded tyres and retreaded tyres were popular, remoulds are legal in the UK but will need to comply with strict regulations. If they have been manufactured with care, then they won’t be significantly less safe over new tyres. Retreading tyres involves stripping the tread and the sidewall from a used tyre, the structure will need to be in a good condition, and new rubber needs to be applied to the carcass. Budget tyres from the Far East have also become more common, though remoulded tyres are much more popular. You can also find out information about rotating tyres here.

Should I buy Part Worn Tyres?

If it can be 100% confirmed that part worn tyres are completely safe and compliant with all regulations, then there’d be no reason why not. However, this isn’t the case, the truth is, if there is an area of car maintenance where you shouldn’t scrimp and save, it’s the part of the car that touches the road – the tyres.

Global tyre company, Pirelli UK, states that it’s essential all part worn tyres are thoroughly inspected both internally and externally, tyres with structural damage should not be sold.

You can find out more about what to do with old tyres here.

If you’re looking for part worn tyres near me in Loughborough or the local area, then be sure to make DW Motor Services your first port of call. We have a wealth of experience in providing part worn car tyres and no matter what type of tyre brands you need, we have you covered. For more information or to arrange a part worn tyre fitting in Loughborough, be sure to contact us today.

We also provide our services in Leicester.