WIREDGOV

Motorists trying to save money could be dicing with death by buying dangerous second-hand tyres, with as many as 83 per cent of used tyres in some areas being sold illegally, warn councils.

Part-worn tyres are being sold with serious safety defects, unsafe repairs and incorrect labelling, with some used tyres on sale found to be 23 years old, according to council Trading Standards teams cracking down on irresponsible businesses flouting the law.

The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents more than 370 councils in England and Wales, is urging motorists buying second-hand tyres to check they are in good condition and bear the required 'PART-WORN' tyre marking. The stamp lets drivers know that the tyre has been checked and meets legal requirements.

Latest government figures show there were 16 people killed and 908 road casualties – more than two a day – in reported accidents in the UK in 2015 where illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres were a contributory factor.

With research showing that around 4.5 million part-worn tyres are being sold in the UK every year, the LGA is warning sellers of illegal used tyres they face confiscation of their stock and prosecution which could lead to a hefty fine and a prison sentence.

The warning follows recent operations by council Trading Standards teams. They include:

• Brent and Harrow Trading Standards officers found that only two of 12 (17 per cent) used tyres bought from 12 different traders met legally acceptable standards, while at least six of them had defects that could pose a serious safety risk if they were put back on a car. A trader is being prosecuted as a result
• Durham County Council officers found that only one of 39 (2.6 per cent) tyres stocked at various dealers bore the required 'PART-WORN' tyre marking, with 25 tyres having problems that could impair safety. Ten tyres had unsafe repairs, nine were over 10 years old and one was 23 years old
• Enfield Trading Standards bought several part-worn tyres from local businesses and found half of them to be unsafe, with 83 per cent of the tyres not having the required ‘PART-WORN' stamp applied to them before being exposed for sale. It is currently investigating these unsafe and non-compliant tyre sellers.

The LGA is advising motorists to avoid buying dangerous second-hand tyres and urging traders to comply with used tyre laws.

Cllr Simon Blackburn, Chair of the LGA's Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said:

"The prevalence of dangerous used tyres for sale at some businesses is alarming and irresponsible traders have got questions to answer because they are putting lives at serious risk.

"Cheap part-worn tyres might be tempting to buy but if they don't have the correct legal markings, motorists risk buying illegal tyres which could contribute to a major accident.

"Motorists buying used tyres should go to a reputable trader and check they have ‘PART-WORN' stamped on them as without this mark, they are unlikely to have been checked and the retailer is breaking the law. They should also look out for any cracks, tears, lumps and check the state of the thread before buying.

"It's also worth looking at how good a deal used tyres offer. New tyres are available to suit all budgets, provide a safer option and should last longer, meaning they may offer better value for money in the long term.

"Trading Standards teams at councils nationwide will continue to advise traders on their responsibilities, carry out test purchasing and won't hesitate to prosecute anyone selling unsafe used tyres.

"This crackdown by councils also highlights how important it is for motorists to check their vehicle's tyres are safe and legal."

Anyone who suspects that part-worn tyres being sold do not comply with legislation should contact their local council's Trading Standards via Citizens Advice on 03454 040506.

The law and part-worn tyres

The sale of used tyres is controlled by The Motor Vehicle Tyres (Safety) Regulations 1994 Act, which is part of the Consumer Protection Act. It is an offence for anyone to sell part-worn tyres that do not meet the following requirements:

• Have an EC approval mark and a speed and load capacity index
• Be marked with ‘PART-WORN' in upper case letters at least 4mm high.
• Not have a cut over 25mm or 10 per cent of the section width of the tyre
• Not have any internal or external lump, bulge or tear
• Not have any ply or cord exposed
• Not have any penetration damage that has not been repaired
• The original tread pattern of the tyre must be at least 2mm deep

CASE STUDIES:

Brent and Harrow
Brent and Harrow Trading Standards officers, along with an expert from the National Tyre Distributors Association and charity TyreSafe, found that only two of 12 second-hand tyres bought from 12 different traders met legally acceptable standards, while at least six of them had defects that could pose a serious safety risk if they were put back on a car. Over half of the tyres inspected were over eight years old, with the oldest tyre 17 years old. Although all the traders had been visited and advised by Trading Standards officers before the test purchases were made, many had ignored the advice. Revisits to the worst traders led to two seizures of unsafe tyres. A trader is now being prosecuted as a result.

Durham
Durham County Council officers, along with an expert from the National Tyre Distributors Association and TyreSafe, visited several part-worn tyre traders and found that only one of 39 tyres checked bore the required 'PART-WORN' tyre marking, was in sound condition and was, therefore, legally compliant. Twenty-five tyres had problems that could impair safety. Ten of these had unsafe repairs, ten had significant age-related deterioration - with nine of them over ten years old and the other 23 years old - and five had been run flat or at very low pressure causing damage to the tyre's structure. Many of the dealers were not aware of the need to mark their tyres with a 'PART-WORN' marking with some storing the tyres in a way that had an adverse effect on their overall safety. The traders were warned they faced further action if they were found to be selling unsafe tyres and applying them to vehicles.

The council has been advising other known retailers of part-worn tyres of its survey findings to make sure they comply with legal standards. It will be carrying out test purchases at a variety of sellers and will take enforcement action, which could include prosecutions, should these reveal unsafe tyres being offered for sale.

Enfield
Enfield Trading Standards, in conjunction with TyreSafe, bought several part-worn tyres from local businesses and found half of them to be unsafe, with 83 per cent of the tyres not having the required ‘PART-WORN' stamp applied to them before being exposed for sale. Enfield Trading Standards is currently investigating these unsafe and non-compliant tyre sellers with the results to be published in due course.

NOTES TO EDITOR

1. Contributory factors in reported road accidents, and casualties in reported accidents by contributory factor, Great Britain (Tables RAS5001 and RAS50007).
2. Around 4.5 million part-worn tyres are being sold in the UK every year, according to the National Tyre Distributors Association.
3. The UK legal limit for minimum tyre tread depth is 1.6mm. To be legal to sell, part-worn tyres must have at least 2mm.