Micheldever instigates removed tyre drilling policy

Micheldever Tyre Services has formalised a policy of drilling removed tyres with a view to preventing used tyres entering illegal or dangerous secondary markets. According to Mark Harley, retail operations director, at Micheldever Tyre Services: “Tyres removed from vehicles are usually taken off for a reason…they may have hidden damage which is only likely to be revealed when the car is driven down the road. The reality is that they pose a real road safety danger, are not fit for purpose and in fact offer very poor value for money”. According to a recent Auto Express survey, arranged in conjunction with TyreSafe, the cost per millimetre of part worn versus new tyres was almost double.

Micheldever and its 63 Protyre branches have instigated a policy of disabling all tyres removed from cars and vans. This is achieved by drilling two holes in the sidewall of the tyre thereby ensuring that they do not find their way back onto UK roads. The disabled tyres are then responsibly disposed of by the company according to the requirements set out under the Responsible Recycler Scheme.

“We do accept” says Mark Harley, “that some motorists opt for part worns as a means of saving money by purchasing from outlets that conform to the rules and label the tyres correctly. But there are many used tyre dealers that are totally ignoring the requirements under the legislation which have been put in place to protect motorists and other road users. In addition to offering poor value for money, we believe that many are potentially dangerous with hidden damage. Using these tyres could put drivers and passengers at a safety risk. They also create an environmental problem.”

Last year Birmingham Trading Standards found that 90 per cent of tyres they examined failed to meet the minimum legal requirements. Most of the failures were for failing to have proper markings. Many, however, were also in poor condition.

Under The Motor Vehicle Tyres (Safety) Regulations 1994 (reg.7), part of the Consumer Protection Act, it is an offence for anyone to sell part worn tyres that do not meet its principal requirements:

The structural integrity must not be compromised. It should be free of large cuts, any bulges or lumps both internally and externally. No plies or cords should be exposed. Tyres must have passed an inflation test prior to sale. The original grooves must still be clearly visible in their entirety and must be to a depth of at least 2mm across the full breadth of the tread, around its entire circumference. Part worn tyres which have not been retreaded must clearly show the relevant “E” mark alongside which “PART-WORN” must be permanently and legibly applied in letters at least 4mm high. These words cannot be hot branded or cut into the tyre.

In addition, part worn tyres which have been retreaded must show the relevant British Standard mark as applied at the time of retreading alongside which “PART-WORN” must be permanently and legibly applied in letters at least 4mm high. These words cannot be hot branded or cut into the tyre. Retreaded tyres must also show speed category and load capacity index in accordance with BS AU 144e 1998. And finally any repair to a part worn tyre must have been carried out in accordance with paragraphs 4-7 of BS AU 159.