Sometimes people opt to buy used tyres instead of new ones. While it may seem harmless to the average person, it is one of the most careless and foolish things that one can do. Buying used tyres not only affects your car’s performance but can cause accidents which can cause severe injury or even death.
Used tyres are a serious safety hazard in themselves. When the road and other conditions are taken into account, there is a disaster waiting to happen. Warm weather conditions like that of Dubai or similar cities and countries put extra strain on tyres. Therefore, car tyres in Dubai and similar areas are subject to higher quality standards.
Using used tyres risk compromising these standards and your life as well. Therefore, this article will discuss why using used car tyres is one of the worst decisions that you can make.
Likely to Fail
When you are buying used car tyres, you cannot know the tyre’s condition. They may have worn out tread, therefore, no longer safe for driving. You are in no position to know under what conditions the tyres were driven or how much weight the tyres were hauling. While the tyre’s tread might seem in perfect condition, it is not a guarantee of the tyre’s good condition.
The Tyres May Be Old
Although car tyre manufacturers claim that tyres can work up to ten years, actual data shows that they can work for six years only. Therefore, you might not know how long the other person has used those tyres. Consequently, you are prone to buying tyres that are close to their end date.
There is one way to find the age of a tyre. A tyre’s sidewall has a four-digit code, e.g. 1617. It means that the tyre was manufactured in the 16th week of the year 2017. However, it is not enough to determine the tyre’s quality as one cannot know under what conditions the tyre was driven or how well it was maintained.
Internal Damage
The tyre’s tread is visible and can help you determine whether it is worn or not. However, the inside of the tyre might be severely damaged, i.e. the rubber might be worn or even cracked. Driving such car tyres increases the risk of tyre burst which can prove to be disastrous and even fatal, especially while driving at high speeds. Internal damage is not visible to the naked eye.
Internal damage to the tyre is caused by many factors including:
- Splinters of glass or any sharp material finding their way into the rubber;
- Impacts from potholes or damaged roads that weaken the cords and tread, thereby, causing tread separation; and
- Small holes which let water into the tyre.
In Case of Product Recall, You Will Not Be Notified
It is quite common for manufacturers to recall their products; in case they have identified a defect or issue. Bridgestone was forced to recall some models of its tyres in the year 2000 as the tyres were linked to several deaths. There was a design flaw in the treads which resulted in accidents and fatalities.
To recall their products, manufacturers only approach the original buyers or retailers. It is impossible to keep track of products once the original buyer has sold them to someone else. Therefore, buying used tyres can stop you from receiving essential updates for the product.
Quality is Compromised
There are many quick fixes which drivers use to fix a flat or punctured tyre. While these quick fixes can make the tyre driveable again, the quality of the tyre is irreparably compromised. Moreover, some people repaint the tyre to make it look like new. Therefore, a person buying used tyres cannot know the real quality of the tyres.
A Bad Investment
Many people buy used car tyres to save money. What they do not understand is that the cost of dismounting your old tyres, purchasing the used tyres and then mounting them will be equal or more than the price of a new set of tyres.
If you are buying a tyre with half a tread life, consider the cost of purchasing the used tyres. Then dismounting your old tyres and then mounting the used tyres. Afterwards, you will have to pay for balancing as well. In short, you will be paying the same amount of money as new tyres but with half tread life.
Unregulated
The used tyre industry is unregulated throughout the world. Therefore, it makes them unsafe, and you might not have access to legal recourse in case things turn out the opposite as you wanted it to. In some instances, you might even face difficulty in making a claim against the manufacturer as well.
Unlike cars or other property, the registration of tyres does not change unless you are buying new tyres from an authorised distributor or the manufacturer. It stays with the original owner. Therefore, you are in no position to file a claim in the court of law as you cannot provide proof of ownership.
History is Against Them
A quick look at statistics around the world reveals that driving used tyres will increase the likelihood of an accident. In the United States of America, 11,000 accidents every year due to used tyres. A lot of these accidents turn out to be fatal, while others suffer serious injuries. It shows that the advice against using old tyres is not unwarranted.
Road conditions like that of Dubai are made for high-speed travel. Therefore, it makes using high-quality and reliable tyres even more important. Otherwise, Dubai too might suffer the same fate as that of the USA. Apart from the increasing number of accidents from tyres, we have summed up the top causes of accidents in Dubai in this infographic
Conclusion
The above reasons are enough to convince you that buying used tyres is not feasible. No matter how much you can trust the seller, there are things even the seller might be unaware of. Therefore, you might be misguided into buying tyres which are unsafe and cause you problems down the road, in terms of performance or safety.
Nevertheless, if you are still in favour of buying used tyres, it is better to have them checked by a professional or take them down to your local mechanic. These are professionals who will conduct their tests to determine the tyre’s quality and help you make the right decision.
