62% of motorists would consider part-worn tyres, reports Kwik-Fit
According to a recent study commissioned by Kwik-Fit, as many as 1.9 million part-worn tyres may have been purchased by UK motorists in this past year – and many more drivers would contemplate buying them. The study of 2,024 UK adults, carried out by ICM Research in September 2011, not only showed that the aforementioned six per cent of car owners fitted part-worn tyres to their vehicles; it also revealed that as many as 19.3 million motorists, or 62 per cent of car owners, would consider buying part-worns.
Kwik-Fit calls these figures “particularly concerning” as, according to Ministry of Justice and Home Office information recently obtained by safety organisation TyreSafe, court convictions for driving on defective tyres are at a four year high. Those most likely to fit part-worn tyres on their vehicles are, unsurprisingly, younger drivers: The ICM study showed motorists aged under 24 are three times likelier to have bought used tyres than those over 55. Kwik-Fit attributes this variation to motoring experience, however the more limited budgets of younger motorists are also likely to be a deciding factor when it comes to part-worns. Significant regional variations also showed up: According to the ICM study results, motorists in the North West are seven times more likely to have bought used tyres in the last year than those in the South West or East Midlands.
Drivers contemplating the purchase of used tyres say they would expect to pay an average of 47 per cent less than the price of a new tyre. Kwik-Fit says research into the used tyre market shows the average part-worn tyre sells for £20; prices for new tyres at the fast fit chain start at £18. Kwik-Fit notes that part-worn tyres are generally sold with around 4-5mm of tread left, or 38-50 per cent wear.
“It’s natural for drivers to try to keep their motoring costs low, especially in these times of economic hardship,” commented David White, customer services director at Kwik-Fit. “However, with part-worn tyres, what seems a bargain at first glance just doesn’t add up. Drivers could get much more for their money with a new tyre, and even more importantly, will be able to drive in the knowledge that their safety hasn’t been compromised.”
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