When purchasing used tyres for your car, there are a number of things you should keep in mind to help ensure that your second hand tyres are both suitable but more importantly, safe to use.

Sellers of used tyres have stated that a new tyre is not always within the budget of many motorists and when selecting the correct used tyre it is a safe option when purchasing new is not possible.

Make sure that the supplier provides you with a tyre that is the correct size for your vehicle, and where possible we advise asking to see the inside of the tyres before they are fitted. The reason for this is peace of mind that there are no patches where previous punctures have been repaired. Being able to see the inside of the tyre will also allow you to see if there is any damage caused by the rims where a tyre may have been driven for extended periods with too little air. Damage caused by incorrectly inflated tyres means that these tyres are a write off and should not be used again on a vehicle.

Regarding the outside of the tyre, ensure that there are no chips or cracks. Perished tyres are prone to cracking, and these are not safe on the road.

Caution advised when buying used tyres

Car owners have been advised by experts to proceed with some caution when purchasing a used tyre for their motor, saying "although a used car tyre may appear to be a great deal, if a damaged, overused or incorrect size is bought, this could leave the motorist at greater risk of danger".

Specialist tyre dealers are the best option when purchasing used tyres, rather than using online marketplaces.

You can easily check the age of a tyre by looking at the serial number. By looking at the last 4 digits, you can check the week and year that the tyre was manufactured. It is wise to purchase the newest used tyres possible as rubber will perish over time, resulting in dangerous cracks.