July/August 2021

us about their concerns, based on what they are seeing in the area they work in: “I work in and around West Yorkshire as a breakdown mechanic. In Bradford, there are many outlets selling part worn tyres, mainly as cash sales. I believe they are purchased in a mixed container load, and are coming from countries with stricter regulations. I expect lots of part worn tyres are shipped from places like Dubai where the tyres cannot be more than five years old. When looking at some of these tyres recently, there was no mention of the manufacture dates. I’ve never seen a tyre marked as ‘part worn’ like they should be either. “When fitted, I see summer and winter tyres are mixed across the same axle. Mixing summer and winter tread patterns across the same axle at the same time should be a MOT fail, particularly where the winter tyre pattern is a harsh type. Surely the likes of VOSA could test the impact of tyre mismatch? The good part of the tyres that wore in line with the cost has already down to the last few millimetres. They do not provide cost effective wear. They will also be less safe. I don’t see part worn tyres as an environmental benefit. I think there is a massive lack of tyre disposal sites. If they weren’t imported then they would be an environmental consideration here in the UK. Look at the recent tyre fire in Bradford. It burned for a week and closed schools and businesses.” Our reader continued: “My main concern is where are these shipping containers of used tyres coming from. if you purchased four tyres then your engine blew up then it makes sense selling the tyres if the car is now scrap. You know the history of the tyres and the DOT code will confirm they are new. However, importing five-year-old tyres from abroad, with say four millimetres tread is completely different. They will soon be at the end of their life and need recycling or deposing of. There are many budget new tyres available for around £45 to £85. I just don’t see the need for so many garages selling part worn for £20 cash. I’ve no idea what ‘marking’ a tyre as part worn means. I can only assume the invoice but I doubt these establishments are providing invoices.” Our reader added: “In my job roadside, I see terrible tyres; Bald mixed tread types, variances in speed rating, different sizes front and rear where manufacturers didn’t specify this. It would be interesting to know the laws/rules in other countries and why the tyres end up here.” DfT Our reader was so concerned that he contacted the Department for Transport (DfT) on the issue of part worn tyres being sold. Their reply stated: “A ‘part worn’ tyre is a tyre that, when fitted to a motor vehicle, is not new. This can cover a wide range of situations. A new high-quality tyre is effectively classed as part worn once fitted to a vehicle, even though it may have no wear or damage. Equally, tyres which may have at least 2mm of tread remaining across the full breadth of tread and round the entire outer circumference of the tyre, may be legal for sale as part worn tyres. Part worn tyres can offer environmental advantages through better utilisation of full life cycle of a tyre and reduced emissions related to tyre production. “There are regulations in place to provide minimum standards for the supply and sale of part worn tyres. These are provided by the Motor Vehicle Tyre (Safety) Regulations 1994, as amended, and enforced by local authority Trading Standards officers. The requirements include, but are not limited to; having a minimum tread depth limit of 2mm, no cut more than 25 millimetres, minimum standard for tyre structure and general condition, and provisions for the correct marking of each tyre to show the words ‘PART WORN’. The Department is unaware of any current deficiencies with this legislation and, therefore, there are no plans to review it at this time. Additionally, there are requirements under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, which places obligation on distributors to act with due care with respect to the applicable safety requirements of the product that they sell.” You can view these regulations via https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ Biggest problem This seemed like a bit of a cop-out to us, so we also spoke to the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) on the topic. Chief Executive Stefan Hay had this to say: “Essentially, selling part worn tyres remains legal and there is, despite the NTDA’s tireless efforts for decades, a roaring trade still in existence across the UK. However, under The Motor Vehicle Tyres (Safety) Regulations 1994 (reg.7) which are part of the Consumer Protection Act, it is an offence for anyone to sell part worn tyres that do not meet the requirements of the regulation and this is where the biggest problem exists. “Well-documented evidence gathered by the NTDA, Trading Standards and TyreSafe during inspection activity carried out over many years across the whole of the UK, shows that the vast majority of part worn tyre dealers simply do not adhere to the regulation and furthermore our 10 AFTERMARKET JULY/AUGUST 2021 BIG ISSUE www.aftermarketonline.net There are many budget new tyres available for around £45 to £85. I just don’t see the need for so many garages selling part worn for £20 cash ”