ATS Euromaster says that nearly 90% of the tyres replaced by its tyre and vehicle maintenance centre in Manchester in 2015 were in an illegal condition.
“Tyre safety has got a lot worse in this area during the past five years,” said multi-site manager Paul Duff, who cites a recent example in which the tyres on a customer’s vehicle had worn so badly the steel cords were showing through, but still didn’t want to replace.
“I wish I could say it’s an isolated incident, but it’s become commonplace,” said Duff. “As the only part of a vehicle in contact with the road’s surface, it’s a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.”
As well as posing a danger to lives, damaged or extremely worn tyres put the driver at risk of fines, points on their driving licence and invalidating insurance.
Vehicle tyres must be fit for purpose. This means being compatible with the tyres fitted to the other wheels, not having any lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of the structure; not having a cut or tear in excess of 25mm or 10% of the sectional width of the tyre, whichever is the greater, and which is deep enough to reach the ply or cord. Furthermore, no part of the ply or cord can be exposed.
Remaining tread depth on cars and vans must be at least 1.6mm throughout a continuous band in the centre three-quarters of the tread and around the entire circumference, and for trucks and buses it must be at least 1mm.
