Part Worn DefectiveTyres

10 April 2014

More than 1.5 million motorists are putting lives at risk by driving on sub standard tyres, as they try to cut the cost of maintaining their vehicles.

Of the 23 million sets of part worn tyres sold over the past five years, more than a quarter were not legally fit to be used,according to reseach by LV= car insurance.

More than half the drivers who bought the tyres did not know there must be at least 1.6mm of tread around the centre three quarters of the tyre.

The report says poor tread will make brakes less effective, with 570,000 motorists reporting having skidded while driving on second hand tyres.

Driving on defective tyres carries a £100.00 fixed fine & 3 penalty points for each tyre, up to a maximum fine of £2500.00 & 3 points.

Police say the number of motorists stopped for the offence rose by 9% from 2009 to 7751 in 2013/14