Is it a good idea to buy second-hand tyres?
No. However, we do not recommend this for safety reasons. If purchasing second-hand tyres, it is very important to assess the tyre(s) overall condition and to be vigilant for tyre defects such as sidewall tear, bulges, exposed plies, and if the tyre had any previous puncture repairs etc. Part-worn tyres are in use every day. If you buy a second-hand vehicle and do not replace the tyres with a new set immediately you are, in effect, buying part-worn tyres. But some tyres are sold as part-worn without the second-hand vehicle! It is not illegal to sell and fit these part-worn tyres.Should you buy part-worn tyres? There are a number of risks involved when buying part-worn tyres, so it is generally advised that you avoid buying second-hand tyres when the time comes to replace the rubber on your car.Is it illegal to buy or use second-hand tyres? No. However, we do not recommend this for safety reasons.While you will save money in the short term by buying second-hand tyres, it can cost you more in the long run. Merityre recommends replacing the old tyres on your car with new budget, mid-range or premium tyres. Our friendly tyre experts can advise you on tyres that suit the make and model of your vehicle.
How long do tyres last?
The consensus among tyre manufacturers and safety groups is that vehicle owners should replace their tyres roughly every 5-6 years. This is reiterated by the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation (ETRTO), who state that tyres may be considered new for 5 years from the date of manufacture. Some automakers suggest that tires be replaced as soon as they turn six years old. Some tire experts contend that tires can last anywhere from six to ten years if they’re stored and cared for properly. We recommend replacing tires aged 6-10 years, no matter how much tread remains.Tyre age limit : the 10-year threshold If the tyres have not been replaced 10 years after their date of manufacture, Michelin recommends replacing them with new tyres as a precaution. This recommendation also applies to spare tyres.If a tyre is stored in optimal conditions, it will last for between 6 and 10 years, if it is not used. Under manufacturers’ guidance a tyre is only guaranteed to be safe for the first five years of its life, although if checked regularly for issues, some manufacturers admit that this can be extended up to 10 years.While low mileage tires might appear safe, 10-year-old tires, regardless of mileage, are generally considered unsafe and should be replaced due to rubber degradation.Bridgestone recommends that tires more than 10 years old should be taken out of service and replaced with new tires. Be sure to check your spare tire and replace it if it is more than 10 years old, even if it appears new.
Are second-hand tyres illegal?
Consumer Protection Act, it is an offence for anyone to sell part-worn tyres that do not meet the following principal requirements: The structural integrity must not be compromised. It should be free of large cuts, any bulges or lumps both internally and externally. No plies or cords should be exposed. And thus, it’s an offence to sell part worn tyres that don’t meet the following requirements: Tyres should show no internal or external bulges, cuts, lumps, tears or other unrepaired damage. Tyres should have no piles or cords (usually metal wires) exposed. Tyres must pass an inflation test before they go on sale.There are a number of risks involved when buying part-worn tyres, so it is generally advised that you avoid buying second-hand tyres when the time comes to replace the rubber on your car.Also called used or second-hand, part-worn tyres come from a variety of sources. Some are shipped in from countries that have a higher legal tread depth than the UK. Others come from scrapped vehicles, or even cars that have been in an accident.Are budget tyres safe? The short answer to that is yes. It’s never a case of compromising safety or reliability when you opt for affordable tyres; you’re merely forgoing design quirks that elevate handling and performance.
Is it safe to use second-hand tyres?
The truth is, that while you may initially save a few dollars on purchase, used tyres have a shorter lifespan, come with a higher risk of life-threatening defects and, most importantly, using pre-worn tyres could place your life and the lives of others at risk. Budget tyres are often chosen for their cost effectiveness.Budget tyres wear out faster The simplest metric to look at with tyres is the issue of how quickly they wear out. Budget tyres are simply not as long lasting as their more expensive counterparts. There are some very clear reasons for this, including the aforementioned research and development.Budget brands are a lot cheaper, but they don’t use the same quality of materials as pricier options, so are almost certainly going to wear out faster. That said they still have to meet safety standards, so you can be sure there’s some level of quality control. So, should you buy budget tyres?Budget tyres can be tempting due to their lower upfront cost. However, they often have a shorter lifespan compared to premium brands. Generally speaking, budget tyres might last approximately 12,000 to 20,000 miles. Budget tyre brands include Autogreen, Aoteli, Rovelo, Tigar, Komendo, Wanli, and Nankang.If you’re wondering how long used tires last, remember the one and only essential thing—each tire’s lifespan is 10 years max. Most categories of tires will wear in 6 years. So, if you’re buying a tire that’s 5 years old, it will serve you 5 years more at most.
What is a second-hand tyre called?
Part worn Tyres. The name gives a pretty clear indication of what part worn tyres are. These are tyres that are ‘partly worn’ and therefore don’t have the same amount of tread that you’d expect to see on a brand-new set of tyres. Just take a 20p coin and insert it into the tread grooves on the tyre. If you can’t see the outer band on the coin, your tyres are above the legal limit. However, if you can see the band and that section of the coin is still visible, your tyres could be unsafe and require professional inspection by a mechanic.You can also look out for tread wear indicators to check if your tyre tread is legal. These are usually small bars, about 5 mm wide, built into the base of the tyre’s main grooves. If the tyre tread is level with the top of the wear indicator, it means your tyres have reached the legal limit of 1.
How long do second-hand tyres last?
It will ultimately depend on the condition of the tyre. The newer the tyre, the better condition it will be in and the longer it will last. On average, we’d expect a part worn front wheel tyre to last 15,000-20,000 miles before needing to be replaced. On average, most tyres last between 40,000 to 80,000 kilometres. However, this estimate can change based on the factors mentioned earlier. High-performance tyres may have a shorter lifespan, while touring or all-season tyres tend to last longer.Average Tyre Lifespan in Years Most vehicle and tyre manufacturers recommend replacing passenger tyres at 6-10 years old. However, in hot climates like Brisbane, err toward the lower side of 6-8 years for the best safety margin. Factors accelerating aging include: Prolonged exposure to heat and sunlight.On average, a tyre with a tread depth of 5. That’s an estimate of around 3,600 miles per 1mm of tread depth. Please keep in mind that this is an approximation. Most tyre manufacturers recommend replacing your tyres every 20,000 to 40,000 miles, or when your tread depth falls below 2mm.While all budget tyres are generally made from cheaper materials, some may be more durable than others. It’s a good idea to read reviews and do some research on the specific tyre you’re considering before making a purchase. On average, budget tyres tend to last anywhere from 20,000 to 40,000 miles.How many miles should tires last? On average, tires tend to expire after about 50,000 miles on the roads of Painesville or Willoughby—and if you drive about as much as the average driver in Ohio, you should be replacing your tires roughly once every four years.