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 are considered ‘potentially dangerous’ and may not last until their next MOT inspection. The study also found that about 8% of cars are being sold with tires that would receive a ‘warning’ for their condition during an MOT test, with some being sold with tread depths at or below the legal limit of 1.6mm, including those from dealerships.
Commissioned by Halfords and conducted in collaboration with Professor Peter Wells from Cardiff University’s Centre for Automotive Research, the research examined nearly 500 cars across more than 100 locations in the UK. During Tyre Safety Month, the investigation revealed that approximately 16% of vehicles were being sold with only 3.6mm of tire tread or less, a level deemed ‘potentially dangerous’ by Professor Wells as cars typically wear through 2mm of tread per year, coinciding with their next MOT.
Further analysis showed that approximately 8% of vehicles had a mere 3mm of tread or less, a condition that would warrant a ‘warning’ during an MOT examination if tested under the same circumstances they were being sold in. The study highlighted the significant safety risk posed by tires with such limited tread, especially in wet conditions where performance deteriorates by around 20%.
The investigation also identified four vehicles out of the 481 studied with tires having a tread depth of 1.6mm or less, three of which still had over 10 months left on their MOT, indicating they would likely become illegal before the next inspection. Despite being within the legal limit, tires with 1.6mm of tread compromise safety significantly, with a notable impact on stopping distances in wet conditions compared to new tires.
The study raised concerns about the current regulations allowing the sale of cars with such minimal tire tread depth. Professor Wells emphasized the alarming nature of the findings, estimating that approximately 1.2 million cars are sold annually with potentially hazardous tires, and over 75,000 vehicles are likely sold with illegal tires.
To address these safety issues, Halfords is now offering free tire checks nationwide to assist recent buyers of secondhand cars in ensuring their tires meet safety standards. TyreSafe, a UK charity dedicated to promoting tire safety, has also welcomed the study’s results to increase awareness about the importance of checking tire conditions before purchasing a vehicle.
In response to the research, Stuart Lovatt, chairperson of TyreSafe, emphasized the need for consumers to be vigilant when buying a car and to take personal responsibility for ensuring their tires are safe. The study’s findings have sparked discussions about potentially revising the legal requirements for tire tread depth on vehicles sold in the UK to enhance road safety and prevent accidents caused by inadequate tire conditions.
