Tyres - Anyone used part-worn before?

[Dos_Box]

I have a bit of an issue with a tyre that needs replacing. The problem is this. My car has a rather sensative skid contol system and now that one rear tyre has worn down to the point of needing replacing the skid alarm goes off due to the fact that it rotates at a different rate to it's partner on the other side (which has plenty of miles left in it) thus causing the car to think it is skidding, and activating the alarm. Apparently it is a common problem with my model.

Now, my car uses a relatively uncommon tyre size (215/70R16) and a 'cheap' new tyre will cost about £100 fitted. This then may cause the problem of the other wheen then turning at a different rate and repeating the problem. However, I can buy a matching pair of 'branded' part worns off the net with plenty of tread on them for about £60 (inc delivery), and as I only do about 6000 miles per year they will last a fair bit.

Has anyone actually brought or used part worns before, and if so were they ok or are there any issues I should be aware of?

[Oaktech]

part worns are always a big can of unknowns, and in normal circumstances I would complately advise against them on the grounds of both safety and false economy, but if you just need them for a few months to wear down evenly then as long as they are a recognised brand I would get the part worn and look to replace with new as soon as possible

[Gibbo]

I hear a lot of stories from people who claim that part-worns are unsafe and risky and you don't know the history.

 

But if that were the case they'd be illegal. They'd also be highlighted as the cause in road crashes.

 

Does anyone who buys a second hand car replace all four tyres because they're part worn and the history is not known?

[jamesreedersmith]

Part worns can be great - just ensure you have some comeback if they are not as described etc. check them when they arrive for uneven wear, holes, splits etc and all should be good

[soveryapt]

Does anyone who buys a second hand car replace all four tyres because they're part worn and the history is not known?

 

I do if it's a private sale, but that's like within the first month I'll get a full service done on it too to iron out / identify any issues etc .. from a dealer I tend not to though as I like to think they're doing what I'm paying the extra £££ for ..

 

Back to the question in hand .. my local tyre fitter (used him for donkeys - though he's not local anymore as I moved away, but it's only 30mins from me, but I digress) told me (when I asked him the same question) think of part worn tyres as being past their best tyres. Quite simply, someone will have taken them off their car to get new ones fitted for a reason, I mean, there aren't many people who would just dump a tyre if they don't need to, in fact, the only ones I could think of would be companies keeping their fleet in check and just having them changed at each service to make sure it's all done at the same time, travelling salesmen who (for a similar reason) want to get everything done at once, or those who do track days who buy a new set, run it round the track then get new ones for next time ..

 

Personally, I would advise against part worn tyres. I don't know how far Haslingden is out of the way for you, but I can PM you my guys number for you to get a quote, I've not managed to find cheaper yet (I buy Hankooks generally - really good tyre at a middle of the road (pardon the pun) price range

, Rotationals for my Astra Bertone 2.2 are £85 a piece compared to the £110-£130 some places like to charge)

[gshaw]

I'd avoid tbh, used to do that years ago but now I'd want matching new tyres from a known manufacturer... use UK Tyres Online | Cheap Tyres | Winter Tyres & Car Servicing their prices are usually decent

[36Degrees]

When my brother-in-law had his Vauxhall Omega he used to buy part worns all the time albeit always from the same place. Mostly they were German imports from when people had changed to winter tyres I believe and always had loads of tread.

 

I assume that you don't have a spare with a new tyre on? i.e. spare plus new tyre and use other one as a spare?

[tech_guy]

Some reading here for you. Part-worns can be imported so you don't know their provenance. They can be taken from vehicles that have been in accidents. A friend who works in an MOT testing station says he'd never ever use part-worns and certainly wouldn't put a single one on a vehicle. Even as a temporary measure Edited March 14, 2012 by tech_guy

[elsiegee40]

I imagine the skid control system operates only on the driving wheels - as long as you get a balanced pair up front (assuming its front wheel drive) by swapping around on your own vehicle you should be fine. I too would shy away from part-worn

[DrummerBoy]

I've used part worns before, and if it's the vehicle I am thinking of the car Dos_Box is referring to is a 4x4.

 

A slightly different variant, is the manufacturer supplied test tyres, these are ones they've pulled from each batch, inflated and tested for QC purposes, and then sell on at good rates. Michelin doe this a lot.

[pcstru]

Has anyone actually brought or used part worns before, and if so were they ok or are there any issues I should be aware of?

 

Yes. I've been buying part worn for the last 10 years, in that time variously shodding Citron Xantia (1.9td), BMW 323 (2.5l), VW Polo. I've never had any issues with them and they have saved me a bucket full of money over that time. I did a lot of miles in the Xantia (Scotland/London every few weeks) but it was the stupid fat tyres on the stupid expensive BMW where I saved a small fortune.

[Sirbendy]

I'm effectively running 4 part-worns on mine right now..I've retired my steelies with winter rubber for the year, and fitted my "new to me" Vx Alloys, that I picked up from a breakers with 4 virtually new tyres already on (still have the fitter/balance markings on!), for £40.

 

No problems so far..not ditchfinder specials, but not as grippy as I like yet, due to being barely worn in. Although I addressed that partly earlier, ha. Nothing untoward with them at all. If they're in good nick, I say go for it. Even my Winter "Insa Turbo T2" studdable rubber was remould..

[Dos_Box]

I imagine the skid control system operates only on the driving wheels - as long as you get a balanced pair up front (assuming its front wheel drive) by swapping around on your own vehicle you should be fine. I too would shy away from part-worn

 

It's a 4x4

[Dos_Box]

I've used part worns before, and if it's the vehicle I am thinking of the car Dos_Box is referring to is a 4x4.

 

A slightly different variant, is the manufacturer supplied test tyres, these are ones they've pulled from each batch, inflated and tested for QC purposes, and then sell on at good rates. Michelin doe this a lot.

 

Hmm. Worth a butchers. Where do you get them from Rick?

[Earthling]

Has anyone actually brought or used part worns before, and if so were they ok or are there any issues I should be aware of?

 

Wouldn't touch them with a 10' barge-pole, personal preference only, you understand.

[tbutcher]

i use part worn tyres on my car. always buy from the same place (as that's all they deal in) and get a very good price. just got the front 2 switched, 64 quid for both inc. balancing and fitting. they look pretty much brand new so can't complain there!

 

always do a quality job and have quality stuff, but it very much depends on the place.

 

oh, and they're most likely a bunch of pikeys, but thats fine, as with all second hand car stuffs...

[Dos_Box]

Thanks everyone. Lot's of food for thought there. Alternatively I can just get a new tyre +bloke in a van to visit work and fit it there and then, cheaper than going to a garage and much more convienient.

[Disaster]

I use 'em. Never had a problem in the last few years.

[Theblacksheep]

Personally I wouldn't use part-worn. Its the thing keeping you on the road and ultimately the most important part of the car.

 

They dont always work out economically viable, paying 50% of the price for a tyre with 60-70% of the tread isn't really worth the difference for a new one, especially when you have to get them fitted, balanced more often.

 

Can the wheel locking differences between the difference be sorted? If it was say the wheel speed sensors, they'll likely be less than a new tyre of that size/width. Or is the common fault more engine management?

[CyberNerd]

As a motorcyclist, tyres are especially important for me. I have used part worn tyres but only when I've known exactly where they have come from and have thoroughly inspected them. There are a variety of reasons why part worns become available. You just need to trust the source. And avoid re-cuts which are illegal.

[Gigabyte]

I would reccomend part worns but only if they are in good condition with no repairs or damage. I know my dad has used them in the past and does 40K+ miles a year with no problems.

[Guest TheLibrarian]

I use PWs all the time now and have done for about 8 years; they come from the same place I used to get my new tyres from, the place that I've been using for 20 odd years.

 

The thing I notice about most of the PWs I have is that they have had a puncture repair; some people just won't use a repaired tyre.

 

I switched to PWs because I stopped doing any high speed motorway driving and now potter about like the old gust of wind that I am.

 

On the rare occasion (one every two or three months) I go on the motorway I might hit 70mph when overtaking a lorry, otherwise I tend to drive a steady 60mph.

 

Mind you the quality of the car I drive has dropped now from the sub-three year old car (at time of purchase) to the cheapest clunker I can find. If I put new tyres on the car they'd double the value of the car.

Edited March 14, 2012 by TheLibrarian
Must learn to proof read before posting.

[Heebeejeebee]

I know someone who's had two part worns blow on him - one shredded and one just sort of fell apart. He is a bit tight though so might have bought really cheap ones from the scrappy.

 

I on the other hand haven't had to buy a tyre in about 6 years now because I don't keep my cars long enough to wear them out - I just get a new one + also I only do about 6 - 7K miles a year.

 

I also have a skid warning thingy on my latest car and it went off when going around a particularly sharp turn a few weeks back. Maybe they're a bit too sensitive.

 

HBJB

[Sirbendy]

I'm looking forward to one day having a car with that level of tech under the bonnet. Purely so I can turn it off. I don't want technology dictating anything, bar the autobox. The day I need a computer to tell me I'm traction challenged and need to cut the power, you can put me to bed with a shovel...tail-end drifting is half the fun.

[laserblazer]

F1 drivers use them and look at the speeds they do