According to TyreSafe, the UK's leading tyre safety group, the number of tyre related deaths and accidents on the UK’s roads could be set to rise after new research has revealed that more than one in ten drivers is more likely to buy part worn tyres compared with 12 months ago.

During their research TyreSafe found that:

16% of drivers have purchased part worn tyres in the past (as many as 1 in 6)
11% of drivers interviewed said they were more likely to purchase part worn tyres than 12 months ago

The risk of purchasing part worn tyres can't always be seen.  Not only can these tyres be under the legal tyre tread limit, the unseen dangers of impact damage can be catastrophic.  This has recently been highlighted by Birmingham Trading Standards who carried out an investigation surrounding part worn tyres.

TyreSafe were asked to validate the the dangers of buying part worn tyres by x-raying six of the tyres bought by Birmingham Trading Standards to identify any internal damage.  All of the tyres showed signs of impact damage, resulting in unstable stress points or fatigue in components which would make them more likely to suffer a blowout.

Stuart Jackson the Chairman of TyreSafe pointed out that "If part worn tyres are bought from an unreliable source or do not meet the required standards, drivers could be placing themselves and other road users in significant danger.  We understand the finanical pressures being faced by many motorists but the risks associated with fitting part worn tyres are too high and we would always recommned fitting brand new tyres"

Among the many regulations regarding part worn tyres, they must be permanently marked as such. They must also have at least 2mm of tread depth around the whole tyre and the original grooves must be clearly visible in their entirety. Any repairs to the tyre must have been carried out in accordance with British Standards BS AU 159.

Part worn tyres can come from a variety of sources meaning that it is extremely difficult to understand their history. Some are removed from vehicles which have been written off following an accident; others are put back into service having been changed by their original owner; and others arise from situations where drivers switch between a set of summer and winter tyres and choose to refit brand new tyres rather than refitting their old set.

For more information regarding TyreSafe please visit their website www.tyresafe.org