Newtownabbey Borough Council is supporting Tyre Safety Month this October. Local authorities in Northern Ireland are participating in a province wide initiative designed to raise awareness of the safety issues which can be associated with part worn tyres.

The current economic climate has resulted in an increase in the sale of part worn tyres as they generally retail for around £15-£20, a considerable reduction compared to the price of new tyres. However, as these tyres have been previously fitted to another vehicle, there may be considerable wear and tear and if they do not meet the legal requirements they can present a serious risk to consumers.

Local authorities have been visiting sellers of part worn tyres to assess the level of compliance with tyre safety regulations.

Tyres which are part worn must be marked and must not have any of the following defects when fully inflated;

• Any cuts bigger than 25mm or 10% of the section width of the tyre measured on the outside and deep enough to reach the ply or the cord
• Any internal lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial separation of the structure
• Any of the ply or cord exposed internally or externally or any penetration damage which has not been properly repaired

They must also have a minimum tread of 2mm.

When purchasing part-worn tyres, consumers should always ask for the tyre to be fully inflated so that they can look for these defects. They should also check for any signs of aging such as splits and never buy a part worn tyre which has had a puncture repair on the sidewall.

Tyre safety checks were included as part of the Newtownabbey vehicle roadshow which was held last Saturday (6 October) and participants were advised on tyre safety and warned about the potential dangers of part worn tyres. In a bid to further reduce the damage that can be caused by part worn tyres which do not meet legal requirements, the Council will be purchasing part worn tyres and submitting samples for examination by an approved testing facility. If safety breaches are identified, formal action may be taken.

Clifford Todd, Environmental Health Manager at Newtownabbey Borough Council says, “Part-worn tyres appear to offer consumers value for money however they can present a serious risk to drivers. Results of a previous survey carried out in Newtownabbey in 2011 and this year are similar to those found in surveys of the part worn tyre sector carried out in the UK. It is clear that the sale of illegal part-worn tyres is a major problem which will require ongoing education and enforcement.”

Any consumers with concerns or enquiries about part-worn tyres should contact the council on 028 90340160 or envhealth@newtownabbey.gov.uk.

Download our consumer guide:

Advice To Consumers On Buying Part Worn Tyres (.pdf 213Kb)