Northern Ireland authorities concerned at sale of faulty tires

ERJ staff report (TP)

Derry / Londonderry (DL) − Over 90 percent of part-worn tires tested by local authorities across Northern Ireland last week failed to meet basic requirements whilst 35 percent had serious faults risking potentially fatal consequences, reported The Sentinel.

Paul McSwiggan, Senior Environment Officer at DL Council said the results were cause for concern.

“A number of part worn tires (8 percent) tested fully complied however despite previous advice provided as part of the survey undertaken in September 2012, the test purchase exercise has revealed that the vast majority of part worn tires sampled failed to comply with The Motor Vehicle Tyre (Safety) Regulations 1994 (as amended).

“A staggering 35 percent of all part-worn tires tested had serious faults that would potentially affect the safety of the tire.”

Back in October 2011, the Sentinel reported how 57 percent of DL tire retailers were found to be selling part-worn tires, which didn’t comply with regulations.

Last year a DL Council survey found nearly two thirds of used tire retailers in DL were found to have been breaking the law by selling cut price part worn tires for between £15 (€17.91) and £20 (€23.88) but not labelling them as such.

So from 2012, Environmental Health Officers across the 26 District Councils in Northern Ireland took part in a survey exercise to assess part worn tire retailers compliance with the Motor Vehicle Tyre (Safety) Regulations 1994 (as amended).

In December 2012, 18 District Councils purchased 37 part-worn tires for testing.

They found 92 percent of all part-worn tires tested failed to meet fully the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Tyre (Safety) Regulations 1994 (as amended); 57 percent of part-worn tires tested failed with regard to labelling alone; 22 percent of all part-worn tires tested failed to meet the requirements of Section 7(5) ‘the grooves of the original tread pattern of the tire must be of a depth of at least 2mm across the full breadth of the tread and round the entire circumference of the tire;’ 22 percent of all part-worn tires tested failed to meet the requirements of Section 7(2) ‘the tire must not have – a) any cut in excess of 25mm or 10 percent of the section width of the tire, whichever is the greater, measured in any direction on the outside of the tire and deep enough to reach the ply or cord; b) any internal or external lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure; or c) any of the ply or cord exposed internally or externally; d) any penetration damage which has not been repaired.

McSwiggan said: “Recommendations were also made to all sellers of part-worn tires that they should take positive steps to ensure that all part-worn tires they stock for supply, meet the requirements of the regulations and ensure that all relevant staff is made aware of these requirements.”

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Full story from The Sentinel