Credit Crunch Impacting Tyre Sales

With new car registrations at a historic low point, new evidence suggests money conscious consumers are cutting corners when it comes to tyres. According to a report released by independent tyre dealer network Protyre, there is mounting evidence that motorists are delaying replacing worn and defective tyres. This false economy is putting drivers, passengers and other road users in danger of an accident or the potential for prosecution.

Protyre’s survey reveals that over three quarters of motorists visiting their 31 outlets had at least one defective or badly worn tyre, up dramatically on a year ago. Protyre technicians have also discovered that drivers of family cars seem to be more responsible than owners of premium vehicles, with a lower percentage of family cars having more than one defective tyre compared with premium models – the cars usually fitted with lower profile tyres.

Commenting on the Protyre findings, Adrian Walsh, director of RoadSafe, the road safety partnership of leading industry bodies, government and road safety professionals commented: “This research is worrying. Clearly drivers are delaying the replacement of worn tyres which is a false economy and will place drivers at greater risk of having an accident.”