What are the dangers of old tyres?

It is common knowledge among car enthusiasts that tyres have a definite expiry date regardless of the amount of use. For the average vehicle owner, this piece of information seems to have got lost along the way.  

Even if a tyre has never been used and appears to be in perfect condition, it is still unsafe to use if it is more than 6 years old.

The life span is shorter still for tyres in use which have other factors that contribute to their longevity such as wear and tear. The concerning thing is that many drivers don’t know this fact and the number of accidents attributed to aged tyres is on the increase. 

An aged tyre straight off the shelf looks brand new but the internal structure is significantly degraded. Like other rubber products tyres have a limited life span. Over time this degrading of the structure of the tyre leads to reduced adhesion which creates tread separation. No matter whether the tyre is used or not, this degradation will occur.  

These internal structure changes are impossible to identify without extensive testing so even an expert would not be able to tell the difference between a new and aged tyre.  

Old tyres can cause a number of problems including:

• Loss of control of the vehicle
• Reduced grip on the road
• Reduced ability to grip, particularly in wet conditions

All of these can have fatal consequences for the driver and other motorists. In recent years car manufacturers have become more aware of the increase in accidents related to aged tyres and have begun to issue warnings with their tyres. Still, motorists are largely unaware of this as these warnings are usually hidden inconspicuously on the tyre. 

As a car owner there are a few things you can do to ensure your tyres are safe. Some suggestions are:

• Firstly, check your tyres for information from the manufacturer that tells you how old the tyre is. If you can’t find that information, have your tyres tested by a professional
• If you have to use an old tyre such as a spare, drive more slowly and carefully and change the tyre as soon as possible
• Be very wary of buying used tyres if the dealer can’t specify the age of the tyre
• Replace your tyres even if they look okay after six years of use