A recent multi-agency operation in Preston, involving Lancashire County Council’s Trading Standards, TyreSafe, and Lancashire Constabulary, has uncovered serious safety failures in the sale of part-worn tyres. Inspections at three local garages found that none of the 30 part-worn tyres examined met the legal requirements stipulated by the Motor Vehicle Tyres (Safety) Regulations 1994.
The Regulations outline specific safety and labelling criteria for part-worn tyres sold by businesses. These include requirements for tread depth (minimum 2mm), absence of cuts over 25mm, no bulges, tears, or exposed cords, and proper repair of any penetration damage. Crucially, all part-worn tyres must be clearly marked ‘PART-WORN’ in 4mm high letters.
During the inspection, investigators found significant defects, including two tyres with embedded screws, one with a serious structural defect, and another with a sidewall tear posing a risk of “catastrophic failure.” Furthermore, none of the garages performed the mandatory inflation pressure test, which is essential for identifying hidden safety defects. A concerning finding was that not one of the 30 tyres had the legally required ‘PART-WORN’ stamp, and one tyre, nine years old, showed signs of perishing.
Steven Brimble, Trading Standards officer at Lancashire County Council, warned: “Many of these tyres appear fine at first glance, but hidden defects can lead to catastrophic and potentially deadly failures on the road.” He emphasised the need for continued engagement with retailers to ensure compliance and improve consumer safety.
Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, added: “This investigation paints a deeply worrying picture that without greater compliance from those garages selling part worn tyres, and improved consumer diligence, safety will continue to be compromised.” He highlighted the danger of these tyres, some with “outright dangerous faults,” being sold to unsuspecting drivers.
Lancashire County Council’s Road Safety Team will follow up with retailers to provide guidance on regulatory requirements, aiming to improve future compliance and consumer safety. The Council recently received a TyreSafe Award for Compliance and Enforcement, recognising its work in promoting tyre safety across the county.
Source: Lancashire Post
Andrew MacCreadie
The practice of selling “Part Worn” tyres need to stop with all demounted worn tyres being collected by reputable agents and disposed of. Current MOT data shows a national problem with tyres as failures are around 22% this indicates that nearly a quarter of cars and light vans on the road have illegal or dangerous tyres on them.
I would like to see the law changed to prohibit the sale of part worn tyres.
Eddie Bamber
There’s a market for part worn tyres and in a way, they’re beneficial in respect of recycling, less waste etc. You might have an accident damaged car on which the tyres might be almost new. It makes sense to use them. The problem arises as always, when the system gets abused – as this article has highlighted. The part worn industry needs tighter legislation and approved licensing.
Harish Chauhan
Very interesting just need time to read it
Phil Lee
Not a fan of part-worn tyres at all, but the headline is click-baity. Other than the bad four, the other 26 were not labelled correctly!
anthony roe
Part-worn tyres sold to the retail industry should be banned immediately highly dangerous practice, and innocent people will always be killed through this practice, which is not acceptable so do the decent thing and ban them to protect innocent people