Maintaining your car properly costs money, there’s no getting away from it. If something needs replacing, you’ll have to dip into your savings and get it sorted for the good of your car and your safety. Here at SG Tyre Wholesale we would like to advice you what your best option is if your tyres are partly worn. For some things, like tyres, it’s a legal requirement to keep them in a roadworthy condition and replace them when they become too worn. If you are unsure what we mean by a roadworthy condition, why not check out our blog on car tyre safety by clicking here.
When money is tight, it’s understandable that you’ll look for ways to save. This is why many people consider getting part-worn rather than new tyres. These are tyres that have already been on another car and have been used, but which still have some tread depth left above the legally required minimum. They’re usually cheaper than new tyres, but are part-worn tyres legal and safe? Should you avoid the risk altogether and just buy new tyres? Take a look below at our guide to part-worn tyres and how we at SG Tyre Wholesale can help you.
Part worn tyres- are they legal?
Businesses selling part-worn tyres, also known as second-hand tyres, aren’t breaking the law as it isn’t illegal to sell or to use them in the UK, and many millions of part-worn tyres are sold every year. However, someone selling part-worn tyres must adhere to very strict regulations on the condition of the tyres and how they are labelled and sold. For example, they must be clearly labelled as part-worn, have a certain tread depth and be in good condition.
If you feel part-worn tyres are suitable for you, please be careful when shopping for these as it is extremely important that your tyres are above the legal tread depth to enable your vehicle to be safe on the road.
Lastly, make sure there is no structural damage to the tyre and that it’s in good condition. There should be no cuts in the tread or bulges in the sidewall, and you shouldn’t be able to see any of the structural cords or carcass. If in doubt, don’t buy.
The pros and cons of second-hand tyres
There are some advantages to buying part-worn tyres. They are cheaper than new tyres, which means that some motorists may be able to afford higher quality, better brand products than they would normally. Many are also imported from Germany, where the minimum legal tread depth is greater than in the UK. This means that these tyres may have more wear left in them.
All of these factors aside, it’s time to think about the very serious drawback that can come with buying part-worn tyres. It’s all about safety. Start by asking yourself – why have the tyres been removed from the previous vehicle? It could be that the driver no longer considered them safe, or they could have been in an accident where they are likely to have sustained damage.
Is it really worth putting yourself and others at risk for the sake of saving a few pounds?
Why tread depth is so important
Tread depth is what gives your tyres traction and grip on the road, giving you more control especially in wet or harsh weather conditions. There’s a legal minimum tread depth (1.6mm) for a reason, because tyres that fall below this are unsafe to use on the roads. An overly worn tyre is an accident waiting to happen. If you are unsure about how to check tread depth or have any other queries about your tyres, please do not hesitate to call us at SG Tyre Wholesale as we are more than happy to help you and guide you to ensure that your tyres are right for you.
So, are part-worn tyres worth it?
Money aside, think about your safety and the safety of other road users. If you have a car, you’re responsible for maintaining it. This means, as difficult as it can be to raid your savings for new tyres, paying out for a good quality tyres that meets safety standards and performs properly.
We here at SG Tyre Wholesale believe that tyres are the one part of car maintenance that you absolutely shouldn’t skimp on. The tyres are the only part of the car that makes contact with the road, so they’re extremely important.
How can we help?
SG Tyre Wholesale are stockists of all premium manufacturers, mid-range brands and have an extensive range of budget brands for you to choose from. We service the whole of Ireland and offer nationwide delivery. We also aim to be as responsive as possible and so we offer an out of hours’ delivery upon request.
To discover more about our wholesale tyre range and services visit our website www.sgtyrewholesale.com email: info@sgtyreswholesale.com or call us on: +353 (0) 87 6088030
