Used tires are a great economic choice for car owners. They are often much less expensive than brand new tires and are capable of lasting for many miles. When considering used tires, one important question is whether they are safe. Fortunately, used tires are tested rigorously and are thoroughly inspected before being made available for sale making used tires safe.
This ensures that the tires are road worthy and ready to provide drivers with excellent performance from the day they are installed. With their lower prices and high safety standards, used tires are an excellent option for anyone looking to save money while still having reliable tire technology on their car.
Are Used Tires a Good Idea?
Used tires are a huge business in this country. Somewhere around 30 million used tires are sold each year, constituting about 10% of the total US tire market. It’s not a surprise that many people find buying used tires to be a pretty good deal, usually to replace a single tire that’s been damaged. But something that looks like a great deal can sometimes turn out to be too good to be true.
The problem is this: Used tires are not subject to any kind of legal standards, and the process of collecting, inspecting and reinserting used tires into the market varies rather widely. Some used tire sellers are careful experts who closely inspect their inventory to make sure their tires are safe. But many others are not so careful.
Are Used Tires Safe?
There’s no one-size fits all answer here. It depends on the specific tire you’re looking at, but generally speaking if there are more patches or damage than usual then that could be an issue with its quality and lifespan as well.
Not all tires are created equal. Some may have more patches than others, but it doesn’t mean they’re bad! The general rule of thumb is that you should check for two things: tread depth and damage/wear on your tire (anything near 3/32″ will be suspect). Of course – as always- don’t buy anything with doubtable wear or risk any punctures while driving since this can cause major issues down the road.
What to Look for When Buying Used Tires
When purchasing used tires, it’s important to consider their condition and quality. Inspect the tread depth, sidewall for any damages, and check the overall age of the tire. Look for any signs of uneven wear or punctures which could indicate a larger problem. It’s also important to make sure the tire matches the specifications of your vehicle’s manufacturer. Don’t be afraid to ask the seller for the tire’s history, including any previous repairs or accidents it may have been involved in. By taking these precautions, you can ensure you’re getting a safe and reliable set of used tires at a fraction of the cost.
Here is a full list of things to look for when buying used tires:
Tread Depth
Make sure to bring a penny with you when you go to buy a used tire, so you can do the penny test. Put the penny upside-down into one or more of the tire’s grooves. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, the tire is legally bald and you shouldn’t be driving on it.
Exposed Cords
Look carefully at the tread surface all around. Irregular wear can expose the braided steel cords inside the tire. If you can see the cords, or even a few thin steel wires coming out of the tread, the tire is dangerous.
Belt Separation
Look closely at the sidewall and tread surface for bumps, waviness or other irregularities that might indicate an impact that has caused the rubber to delaminate from the steel belts. You can often feel changes in the rubber surface by running your hands over the sidewall and tread surface even if the irregularity is not obvious when the tire is not inflated.
Bead Chunking
Look closely at the bead areas, the two thick rings of rubber where the tire contacts the wheel. You’re looking especially for chunks of rubber missing from the beads, or other damage that can prevent the tire from sealing correctly.
Liner Damage
Look inside the tire at the inner liner for damage and/or exposed cords. When a tire begins losing air, the sidewalls begin to collapse. At some point the collapsing sidewalls will fold over and begin to rub against themselves. This process will scrub the rubber liner off the inside of the sidewalls until the sidewall is damaged beyond repair. If you can see a “stripe” of wear circling around the sidewall of the tire that is softer to the touch than the rest of the sidewall, or if you find “rubber dust”, small particles of rubber inside, or if the sidewall has been worn away until you can see the inner structure, stay away from that tire, as it is unsafe.
Improper Repairs
Definitely look for punctures in the tire, but also look inside and out for punctures that have been repaired. A proper repair is a full patch on the inside of the tire. While it might not be a complete dealbreaker, it’s best to avoid tires that have simply had a plug put through the hole. Plugs are not inherently unsafe, but patches are much safer. Definitely avoid large punctures, or repaired punctures located within an inch of either sidewall.
Aging
Aging tires deteriorate from the inside out, making it difficult to tell how safe they might be. The first thing to do is make sure there is a Tire Identification Number (always preceded by the letters DOT) on the sidewall, as some used tire recyclers and retailers have been known to scrub the number off. If the number is not there, that’s a huge red flag as to the honesty of either the retailer or their supplier, and I would advise walking away right then. If the TIN is present, the first two numbers or letters after the DOT indicate the plant where the tire was manufactured. The next four numbers indicate the date the tire was built, i.e., the number 1210 indicates that the tire was manufactured in the 12th week of 2010.
In general, you should be suspicious of any tire that is more than 6 years old. You should also look at the sidewall and tread areas for signs of small cracks appearing at flex points on the sidewall or in between the tread blocks, which may indicate that dry rot has begun to attack the rubber. Keep in mind as well that some people will paint used tires black to make them look newer.
Recalls
Use the TIN to check for manufacturer’s recalls on the tire. See How To Check For Tire Recalls for more information.
These are the major things to look for when buying a used tire. Remember that even if selling unsafe used tires becomes illegal in your state. It’s still primarily your responsibility in a pragmatic sense to ensure that the tire you’re buying is safe. That the law can punish a seller of unsafe tires would be cold comfort to you or your family if something bad happens. Be proactive and above all, be safe!
