Road safety charity TyreSafe teamed up with Lancashire County Council Trading Standards and Lancashire Constabulary to investigate three used tyre sellers in Preston recently – and found shocking results. Of the 30 part-worn tyres checked by investigators NONE complied with UK regulations, and nearly 20% were being sold in a condition that represents a serious safety risk to drivers, their families and other passengers. “This investigation paints a deeply worrying picture,” said Stuart Lovatt, chair of TyreSafe.
Lancashire County Council Trading Standards, TyreSafe, and Lancashire Constabulary coordinated an operation sampling three garages in Preston selling part-worn tyres. Inspectors said that of the 30 tyres assessed, none complied with the Motor Vehicle Tyres (Safety) Regulations 1994.
The regulations require that all part-worn tyres:
- be free from dangerous cuts, bulges, or exposed cords
- pass an inflation test at the highest pressure at which it is designed to operate
- have a tread depth of at least 2mm
- be clearly marked “PART-WORN” in letters at least 4mm high
- and be properly puncture repaired to the current British Standard.
Inspectors found that none of the tyres were properly marked or subjected to the mandatory inflation test. They also uncovered several more serious safety risks:
- Two tyres had screws embedded
- One tyre showed a severe structural defect
- Another had a sidewall tear risking catastrophic failure
- One tyre was nine years old and showing signs of perishing.
“Not only were none of the tyres legally compliant, but several posed an immediate risk to life,” added Lovatt. “Drivers buying part-worns may think they’re saving money—but what they’re really buying is a ticking time bomb. Tyres are not the place to cut corners.”
Overall, the investigation demonstrates the need for greater enforcement, retailer accountability, and consumer awareness. Used tyres often represent an attractive option for cash-strapped motorists – though they are also extremely bad value in the longer term, thanks to the potential for defects, generally low amounts of tread, and worse performance than new counterparts. Add in the non-compliant way they are sold in the UK, and the risks far outweigh the advantages for any motorist.
TyreSafe campaigns against unsafe part-worn tyre sales
“TyreSafe continues to campaign against the sale of unsafe part-worns,” added Lovatt. “We urge road users to ask: was the tyre properly tested? Is it marked as ‘part-worn’? If not, walk away. It’s your safety—and your life—at risk.”
Lancashire County Council’s Road Safety Team will now engage directly with retailers to improve awareness of their legal obligations around testing, labelling and safe repair standards.
County councillor Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for rural affairs, environment and communities, said, “Many of these tyres appear fine at first glance, but hidden defects can lead to catastrophic and potentially deadly failures on the road. This operation shows why continued education and enforcement are essential.”
Steven Brimble, Trading Standards officer at Lancashire County Council, said: “Retailers must thoroughly inspect tyres both before and after inflation. It is an offence to supply tyres with hidden damage, even if only detectable once inflated.”
Inspector Steve Scott of Lancashire Constabulary warned: “Tyres in poor condition increase the risk of collisions. Motorists also risk fines, penalty points, or prosecution. Always check your tyres and buy from reputable sellers.”
