A shocking 99 per cent of part worn tyre retailers to be selling illegal and dangerous tyres, investigations by TyreSafe have revealed.

In total, 18 investigations were carried out across England and Scotland involving 68 part worn traders, all bar one of whom were supplying tyres which contravened the legislation governing their sale.

The research also found that of the 129 tyres inspected, 75 per cent were unsafe.

Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe, said: “Despite years of appalling results from these investigations into the retail of part worn tyres, these findings still come as a shock.

“How can it be acceptable that three-quarters of the part worn tyres offered for sale were unsafe?

“Putting lives at risk”

“Tyres are the only part of car in contact with the road and essential to road safety – selling dangerous examples to unsuspecting motorists is putting lives at risk.

“The number of dangerous part worn tyres being sold is no doubt related to the widespread incompetence of the retailers.

“With just one of the 68 retailers found to be compliant with the law, surely the part worn trade must vastly improve its standards before the British motorist can have any confidence in them.

“Until that happens, TyreSafe continues to urge drivers to buy new tyres to avoid paying a potentially heavy price for choosing to fit unsafe part worns.”

The findings support TyreSafe’s advice for motorists to think again before buying part worns as there is no guarantee the tyres being sold to them are safe. Investigations also highlight a high level of incompetence among traders.

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