TyreSafe investigation uncovers 100% failure rate
An investigation by road safety charity TyreSafe found that every single tyre retailer inspected failed basic safety and legal standards.
As part of a joint operation with Dudley Council Trading Standards, supported by West Midlands Police, technical experts conducted unannounced safety audits across local tyre retailers following preliminary advisory visits.
Despite traders previously receiving guidance on statutory requirements, inspections revealed a 100% failure rate across the board.
Key violations included illegal and dangerous string repairs, non-repairable punctures in sidewalls and shoulders, missing or temporary PART-WORN markings, incorrect pressure testing, severely aged and hardened rubber, and tyres with tread depth below the legal minimum limit.
Stuart Lovatt, chair of TyreSafe, said: “This operation with Dudley Trading Standards exposes a stark reality: 100% non-compliance among the retailers audited, even after receiving compliance advice. Dangerous tyres on the road pose an immediate threat to driver and pedestrian safety. We urge local authorities across the UK to follow Dudley’s lead and integrate targeted, unannounced part-worn checks into their enforcement schedules.”
Laura Reuben, public protection manager at Dudley Council, added: “The findings of this operation are deeply concerning. Consumers purchasing part-worn tyres often assume they are buying a safe, legal alternative to pass an MOT or save money, but our joint checks show a widespread disregard for basic safety laws.
“Educational visits alone have proven insufficient, and we will not hesitate to use our formal enforcement powers to protect motorists from dangerous stock.”
