Wrong tyres noticed at MOT

[Tropical]

I had 2 x new rear tyres fitted on my Skoda Superb, back in February 2024

Had MOT today, by my local garage who notified that the rear tyres are different width to fronts - these were the ones that were changed by th tyre specialist earlier this year.

The Tyre garage web site even shows my car should have 235/45/18's , but they fitted 225/45/18's back in Feb.

1) Do I have legal course on this, as the car has incorrect tyres from factory spec
2) My MOT centre called them to advise that tyres are incorrect and even locking bolt was missing on O/S wheel. Tyre centre basically told him where to go.
3) I went round to see them with evidence of tyres previsously supplied correctly and invoice for the incorrect ones - didn't want to know - said would give me £10 discount on 2 x new tyres, which really pi876sd me off!!!

I trust a Tyre specialist to fit the right tyres for my car, not to wait until advised by my local garage that the incorrect tyres fitted plus bolts missing - how can they get away with this?!

What would you do - what best course of action now?

[JohnnyUK]

How did you pay? If Credit Card, you can dispute the transaction.

[Mandat]

Tropical said:

I had 2 x new rear tyres fitted on my Skoda Superb, back in February 2024

Had MOT today, by my local garage who notified that the rear tyres are different width to fronts - these were the ones that were changed by th tyre specialist earlier this year.

The Tyre garage web site even shows my car should have 235/45/18's , but they fitted 225/45/18's back in Feb.

1) Do I have legal course on this, as the car has incorrect tyres from factory spec
2) My MOT centre called them to advise that tyres are incorrect and even locking bolt was missing on O/S wheel. Tyre centre basically told him where to go.
3) I went round to see them with evidence of tyres previsously supplied correctly and invoice for the incorrect ones - didn't want to know - said would give me £10 discount on 2 x new tyres, which really pi876sd me off!!!

I trust a Tyre specialist to fit the right tyres for my car, not to wait until advised by my local garage that the incorrect tyres fitted plus bolts missing - how can they get away with this?!

What would you do - what best course of action now?

My car has different size tyres on the rear & front, which is OEM spec.

It's a poor show if the tyre centre fitted the wrong size tyres back in February, but IMO you should have picked up on this at the time of fitting. Same for the missing locking bolt.

Looking at it from the opposing view, it is now over 6 months since they did the work, and they have no idea what you have done with the tyres during that time. In their eyes, you are just another chancer trying to scam a free pair of tyres & locking bolt.

[SlimJim16v]

Two options, threaten legal action then small claims, or fit the smaller ones to the front. It's not 4wd is it?

[Jordie Barretts sock]

SlimJim16v said:

Two options, threaten legal action then small claims, or fit the smaller ones to the front. It's not 4wd is it?

Love this!

On what basis is he going to take legal action? He can't prove those are the tyres supplied, he cannot prove he didn't swap the tyres or wheels. What did he order? What did they fit? The tyre place will say he ordered those size tyres.

Both the judge and the tyre place are going to laugh him out of court.

[FMOB]

It does happen, had this on a car purchased from an official dealer. Tyres fitted were 225/40/R18 when they should have been 235/40/R18, they changed them when it was pointed out they didn't match the tyre sizes on the rating plate.

And recently on a used car I bought privately, 255's on the front and 275's on the rear when they should be 255's all round. I didn't spot it at the time so 2 new tyres for the rear at £340 is on me , still better than wrecking a centre diff.

[Earthdweller]

Mandat said:

Looking at it from the opposing view, it is now over 6 months since they did the work, and they have no idea what you have done with the tyres during that time. In their eyes, you are just another chancer trying to scam a free pair of tyres & locking bolt.

That's key really .. 6 + months later

It's one to put down to experience I think

[Jordie Barretts sock]

EmailAddress said:

I wonder what company the 'OP' used

I bet they were quick.

[FMOB]

Earthdweller said:

Mandat said:

Looking at it from the opposing view, it is now over 6 months since they did the work, and they have no idea what you have done with the tyres during that time. In their eyes, you are just another chancer trying to scam a free pair of tyres & locking bolt.

That's key really .. 6 + months later

It's one to put down to experience I think

Unfortunately with tyre places you need to check their homework. The problem I found above is probably just selecting the wrong vehicle age, a minor mistake but can cause an expensive problem if not rectified.

If the vehicle hasn't failed the MOT and having different tyre sizes isn't going to upset the drivetrain, the speedo accuracy or handling then living with the mistake is probably the cheapest option unless you want to buy a couple of new tyres.

[Dannbodge]

Not sure a MOT station would bother looking up correct tyre sizes for cars. They've got better things to do.

I've always played around with tyre sizes, sometimes to save money, others for clearance.

Loads of cars have different sizes front and rear.

Put the smaller ones on the front and just forget about it.

[generationx]

I’d love to see this posted on the “Ask an MOT Tester” thread - it sounds like complete bks. My car is on a different size from OEM as have several cars previously: not a word. As long as they have a suitable speed rating, are not obviously mis-sized and have plenty of tread surely this is a complete fallacy. Or it’s nearly half term.

Edit: The missing bolt is a bit more of an issue I would have thought.

Edited by generationx on Friday 20th September 20:12

[SteBrown91]

Tyre place cocked up but it’s too late to go back to them. Next day fine, but 7 months later you have no chance.

Also, you have been driving round with a missing bolt for all that time. That’s on you really - could have happened at any time since you didn’t notice it yourself.

[Little Pete]

generationx said:

I’d love to see this posted on the “Ask an MOT Tester” thread - it sounds like complete bks. My car is on a different size from OEM as have several cars previously: not a word. As long as they have a suitable speed rating, are not obviously mis-sized and have plenty of tread surely this is a complete fallacy. Or it’s nearly half term.

Edit: The missing bolt is a bit more of an issue I would have thought.

Edited by generationx on Friday 20th September 20:12

I would advise if the tyre sizes are different front to rear and clearly shouldn’t be, as in this case. The missing bolt is a fail though.

[LuS1fer]

If they are on Trustpilot, rate them as crap.

[RSTurboPaul]

What is the circumference difference?

What difference does the above make to rotations per given distance/speed?

Are the speed sensors on the front or the rear axle?

If you have not noticed for 6 months, what empirical impact has it had?

[Zero Fuchs]

If you bought via their website I suspect you will have ticked a disclaimer that says that, 'I have checked and confirm this is the right size'. Every website I visit has this and for my MR2 I have to manually enter the sizes as they're usually wrong or, as is the case for my rears, I run a different size as the OEM spec has fewer options.

Speaking of which, I've never had issues with incorrect tyre sized from stock. But I guess for a regular car it would be odd.

[Alex Z]

Where was the mistake?

Did you specify 225 tyres and get what was requested, or does the invoice show 235s so you didn’t get what was paid for? Did you order by phone or in person and ask for “two new tyres same as what’s fitted” and they made an error?

[V8LM]

Surprised the traction control didn’t grumble at speed.

[Kawasicki]

V8LM said:

Surprised the traction control didn’t grumble at speed.

They might be the exact same tyre, sidewall markings aside.

[V8LM]

Kawasicki said:

V8LM said:

Surprised the traction control didn’t grumble at speed.

They might be the exact same tyre, sidewall markings aside.

So they have 225 marked on them but the fitter knew they were really 235s?