Driving misconceptions surrounding used car tyres are putting UK motorists at risk of having a crash and by landing a hefty fine.
According to AA Cars, one in five (19 per cent) drivers have bought used tyres in the past and a further one in eight (13 per cent) plan to do so in the future.
Just seven per cent of motorists believe that they are as safe as new tyres but there is a level of ambiguity surrounding them on the whole.
A third (33 per cent) of drivers believe that they are either more cost effective than new ones or just don’t know whether new or used tyres offer better value.
A lack of knowledge could also potentially cost drivers as over half (62 per cent) of Brits were unaware of the correct legal minimum tyre tread depth for cars.
Six in 10 cars (56 per cent) also weren’t aware that the maximum fine for driving on worn-out tyres was £2,500 and three penalty points.
Almost half (42 per cent) of Brits didn’t know that a new tyre could have as much as 8mm worth of tread. In contrast, part-worn tyres often are sold with as little as 2mm worth of tread – just 0.4mm away from the legal limit of 1.6mm.
One in five (21 pr cent) drivers believe that most used tyres sold in the UK actually comply with regulations. In reality, the vast majority (98 per cent) of secondhand tyres probably don’t.
James Fairclough, CEO of AA Cars comments: “Despite some really effective campaigns from the likes of TyreSafe warning consumers about the dangers of second-hand tyres in recent years, it’s clear that a number of prevailing myths about part-worns continue to underpin their sales.
“The safety case for buying new over used tyres has been well-documented but it’s important that drivers understand the argument that part-worns offer better value for money is a fallacy too.
“Secondhand tyres might boast cheaper price points than new ones, but the tread left on these tyres is typically materially less, meaning you’ll be looking for yet more replacements in no time at all.
“It’s also worth considering that a large proportion of the secondhand stock in the UK actually fails to meet the minimum legal safety standards.
“Car buyers should be mindful that, in the past, nearly-new and used cars have been found to have been fitted with much older tyres. A look at the dot code on the sidewall of the tyre can give you an indication of how old the tyres are – the last four digits of this code can tell you, respectively, what week and year the tyre was created.
“Since it’s often hard to discern whether tyres are up to scratch when you head down to the forecourt, a few simple checks can put your mind at ease when buying your next car; the ‘20p test’ will help to establish – at a glance – the depth of tread left on the tyres; it’s also worth taking a pressure gauge, or asking for a gauge at the forecourt, to see if the car’s tyres are correctly inflated.
“If you see any bumps or bulges in the sidewall of the tyre, it’s important that you don’t drive away from the dealer, as these aren’t roadworthy and can be very dangerous to drive on.
“While some of these tyre deformities can be spotted straightaway, for extra peace of mind it might be worth considering a pre-sale vehicle inspection since not all issues are immediately apparent.”
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