A large proportion of part worn tyres are dumped on the UK from other
countries where the minimum legal tread depth is greater than ours, for
example Germany where their tyres are scrapped at 3mm.

The UK’s minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm therefore these previously scrapped tyres considered unsafe for German roads can still be legally imported into the UK and sold. 

Contrary to popular belief, it is not about us being biased or wanting to earn more money through new tyre sales. It is about your safety, simple. 

We sell thousands of new tyres every month, for each new tyre fitted an old one comes off. With that in mind if we wanted to sell part worn tyres we could and we would have more stock than that of 5 part worn shops put together. 

However, being experts in the field of all things tyres, we fully understand the dangers around part worn tyres and that is why we will never sell them.

Common Faults with Part Worn Tyres

Sidewall Bulge:
Driving with a bulge or cut in your sidewall can be very dangerous, since it can affect the internal part of the tyre and leave it vulnerable to a blowout.

Exposed Structure:
This high-performance tyre has sustained irreparable tread damage, leading to an exposed structure. Such damage compromises the tyre’s integrity

Cracking Sidewall:
The full extent of this damage caused by the tyres overall age and its conditions of use can be clearly seen when the tyre is inspected off the wheel. 

Object in Tyre:
This tyre suffered a nail puncture in the shoulder area, rendering it unsafe and illegal to supply. Such damage compromises the tyre’s structural integrity.

Shoulder Repair:
Tyres have cords that run all around the tread of the tyre, the part the makes contact with the road. But on the sidewall, those cords aren’t there.  The repair won’t hold.

Unsafe Puncture Repair:
The circumferential sidewall wear caused by running flat, plus repairing in an unrepairable section, along with the age-related cracking, make this a very unsafe tyre.

What the law says

Under The Motor Vehicle Tyres (Safety) Regulations 1994 (reg.7.) part of the 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.
  • Tyres must have passed an inflation test prior to sale.
  • The original grooves must still be clearly visible in their entirety and must be to a depth of at least 2mm across the full breadth of the tread, around its entire circumference.
  • Part worn tyres which have not been retreaded must clearly show the relevant ‘E’ mark alongside which ‘PART-WORN’ must be permanently and legibly applied in letters at least 4mm high. These words cannot be hot branded or cut into the tyre.
  • Part-worn tyres that have been retreaded must have one of the following:
    1.  BS AU 144b, 144c, 144d, or 144e markings on the side wall (if first supplied as a retread on or before 31 December 2003 an ECE approval mark (if first supplied as a retread on or after 1 January 2004)#
    2. a permanent mark to identify the original model and manufacturer, the word ‘RETREAD’ moulded onto or into its sidewall (in upper case letters at least 4mm high) and further markings in accordance with ECE rules. You may need to seek further advice as to which rules apply 
    3. The indication ‘PART WORN’ must also appear next to the BS or ECE approval mark, or next to the word ‘RETREAD’ 
    4. For tyres marked BS AU 144e, a speed category symbol and load capacity marking should be present. 
    5. A tyre has to comply with all these requirements whether or not it is fitted to a rim.