Motorists should not ‘dice with death’ by buying illegally sold second-hand tyres, council chiefs warn.
According to trading standards teams, many part-worn tyres with serious safety defects, unsafe repairs and incorrect labelling are being sold every year.
In some areas as many as 83% of used tyres are being sold illegally, they found.
The Local Government Association (LGA) warned motorists to only buy second-hand tyres that have the ‘part-worn’ tyre marking. This stamp lets drivers know that the tyre has been checked and meets legal requirements.
Latest government figures show there were 16 people killed and 908 road casualties – more than two a day – in reported accidents in the UK in 2015 where illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres were a contributory factor.
‘The prevalence of dangerous used tyres for sale at some businesses is alarming and irresponsible traders have got questions to answer because they are putting lives at serious risk,’ said Cllr Simon Blackburn, chair of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board.
‘Trading Standards teams at councils nationwide will continue to advise traders on their responsibilities, carry out test purchasing and won’t hesitate to prosecute anyone selling unsafe used tyres.
‘This crackdown by councils also highlights how important it is for motorists to check their vehicle's tyres are safe and legal.’
