When it comes to car tyres, there are many experts and opinions available on the internet. But what most of these experts will tell you is to avoid purchasing used car tyres. It is generally considered sound advice as one can never be sure about the quality of these tyres and how they will perform, especially, as you will want to keep using them for a long time. But, do you actually know the reason behind this? Well, if not, you are in luck, as we have come up with the perfect blog for you. The following blog explores, in-depth, the various factors that make second-hand tyres a poor choice. So, without further ado, let’s move on to the blog and learn why one must avoid using old, used second-hand tyres.
No Certainty About Standards
The very first reason is also quite obvious. When you buy second-hand tyres, you can’t really be sure about their authenticity. Meaning, that you won’t be able to accurately judge whether said tyres are good enough for use, or are even up for use, as per the regulations and standards. Several government and regulatory authorities have highlighted the problems with second-hand tyres. Such tyres are not fit for use and can cause problems for the car as well, leading to an increase in the risk of accidents. Old and used tyres often have heavy tread wear, which can lead to loss of traction and control over the vehicle. Similarly, they have weaker structural integrity, which makes them more prone to further damage. Such tyres, when used, can’t guarantee your safety on the road.
Might Have Internal Or Structural Damage
When you buy used tyres in Birmingham, you are actually unaware of whether they are as good from the inside as they look from the outside. This is because it is very difficult to accurately grasp the level of wear and tear and the strain on the structural integrity of a tyre. But, you must know, every tyre manufacturer expects the tyres to have a limited lifespan. Meaning, even when the tyre has not gone through undue stress, and wear and tear has been kept to a minimum, you must still avoid them because you can’t be sure whether the tyres are fit for use or not. Other than time, there are a few other factors as well that can lead to internal problems in a tyre, such as:
- Accumulated damage from road debris.
- Prolonged use can cause the cords to weaken, leading to tread separation.
- Tiny pinholes, due to rubber degradation, can cause water to enter the tyres, leading to much faster wear and tear.
Harder To Inspect
When you buy tyres, you trust in the goodwill of a tyre manufacturer, or the retailer who is selling the tyre. But you still make sure to check the tyre properly before purchasing. However, with second-hand tyres, which are mostly sold online, you only have to rely on a picture, to make a judgment. Even if you arrange an inspection in person, you must know that inspecting old tyres is not that easy. This is because you already expect the tyres to have some sort of tread wear. But you really can’t know how much damage the tread has actually encountered. Then there is the fact that minor tyre problems are much harder to catch and might go unnoticed, no matter how meticulously you check these tyres. This is not a risk you need to bear, just to save some money on tyres, especially when, in the long run, you might end up paying a lot more.
Lack Of Warranty
Another obvious problem with buying second-hand tyres is the fact that you won’t get a warranty. No warranty means, that when you have to go for tyre repairs, it might end up costing a lot. And since you are already using old tyres, the chance of going for repairs is rather high. Now, we are not saying that old tyres are never a good choice. No, there are times when you should use old tyres, for example, as a spare tyre in your car. But, if you want to use them as everyday tyres, then the lack of a warranty is a big problem and can lead to costly repairs in the future.
Risk of Overcharging
You should also know that when you buy second-hand tyres, there is no actual way for you to judge their value. So the chances of you overpaying for a set of subpar tyres are a lot higher. This actually defeats the primary purpose of going for cheap car tyres. Moreover, you should also take into account that owning tyres is not the end of your expenses. You also have to maintain these tyres, and thus go for regular services such as wheel alignment, tyre balancing, rotation, and so on, which will only add to the cost.
Way Past Its Prime
Finally, you should avoid going for old tyres, as you would not know whether they are still fit for use or not. As we mentioned above, tyres come with a shelf life, which is mostly between 5 and 10 years. So, even if a tyre has never been driven, but is already more than 10 years old, you should avoid buying it as it might have severe internal problems. This is more true for tyres that have been in use and have been exposed to elements such as climate, sunlight, UV rays, and so on.