A recent investigation into the sale of used cars has uncovered that approximately 16% of vehicles on the market in the UK are equipped with tires that pose potential safety risks and may not last until their next MOT inspection. Findings from the study, conducted on nearly 500 cars across more than 100 locations in the UK, also revealed that around 8% of cars are being sold with tires that would warrant a ‘warning’ during an MOT due to their condition, with some even being sold with treads at or below the legal limit of 1.6mm, including those sold by dealerships.
The research, carried out in collaboration with Professor Peter Wells from the Centre for Automotive Research at Cardiff University and sponsored by Halfords, highlighted concerning statistics during Tyre Safety Month. It showed that approximately one in six vehicles were being sold with only 3.6mm of tire tread or less, a level deemed risky by Professor Wells as cars tend to wear through 2mm of tread annually, coinciding with their next MOT inspection. New tires typically have 8mm of tread for comparison.
Moreover, a notable portion of vehicles were found to have even less tread depth, with about 8% having a mere 3mm of tread or less, which would trigger a ‘warning’ during an MOT inspection. This level of wear significantly impacts tire performance, especially in wet conditions, deteriorating by around 20%. Shockingly, the study identified four vehicles with tires having less than 1.6mm of tread, three of which had over 10 months left on their MOT, indicating potential illegality before the next inspection.
While legally permissible, tires with 1.6mm of tread are substantially compromised, requiring 171 meters to stop a vehicle traveling at 70mph in wet conditions, compared to just 94 meters for new tires. This significant difference in stopping distance could be critical in avoiding accidents.
Critics, including Adam Pay, the managing director of Halfords Garages, have raised concerns about the existing regulations concerning tire tread depth on sold cars. Professor Wells, echoing these sentiments, emphasized the urgent need for a reassessment of the law, suggesting a legal limit of 3.6mm or 4mm for more safety.
In response to the alarming findings, consumer sentiment aligns with increased safety measures, with more than 81% of Brits supporting a legal requirement for all used cars sold in the UK to have adequate tire tread until their next MOT. Additionally, a significant portion of recent used car buyers reported having to replace tires post-purchase, with many expressing feelings of disappointment and danger due to low tread levels.
TyreSafe, a UK charity dedicated to tire safety, commended the study’s results for shedding light on the issue and emphasized the importance of consumer vigilance when buying cars. Halfords is offering free tire checks nationwide to assist drivers who have recently purchased a used vehicle and want to ensure their tires meet safety standards.
Furthermore, the Department for Transport emphasized the legal consequences for selling vehicles with unsafe tires, highlighting the importance of maintaining roadworthy conditions beyond just MOT tests. The DVSA’s market surveillance team actively monitors garages for compliance, emphasizing the critical role of tires in vehicle safety.