Are these tyres safe?

[Scarletpimpofnel]

These tyres still have tread but are perhaps in the region of 5 years old so may be getting aged. Are they still safe to use or are they dangerous with this crack in the rubber? tia

[wyson]

I had cracks like that in Michelin Energy Savers. Kwikfit told me they were safe, UV damage and tried to send me on my way. I got a new set of tyres anyway. Why risk it.

[catatemyhomework]

Mine were like this, and I just replaced with them. The tyres were 8 years old, and I'm off to the south of France in a couple of weeks.

As the above poster says, why risk it for a delaying spending a few quid?

[Hustle_]

They are not dangerous. Monitor until replaced.

If it was my car I’d put them on the driven axle to ‘use them up’.

[RUSTILLDOWN]

I had some like this once, not dangerous but more likely to get a flat if u hit a pot hole etc.

[Gary C]

I suppose it would depend on the use

On a gt3 rs on the Nürburgring I might not be as comfortable on them as I would be popping to the shops on 30mph roads.

[Scarletpimpofnel]

Gary C said:

I suppose it would depend on the use

On a gt3 rs on the Nürburgring I might not be as comfortable on them as I would be popping to the shops on 30mph roads.

I will point out to my daughter in her 1.3 Fiesta to avoid the Nurburgring for now and stick to going to the shops :-)

[Scarletpimpofnel]

Thanks all for comments. Yes the sensible thing is to replace these old tyres.

[MrBig]

Are you sure they are 5 years old? I would check the date codes personally and lead my decision by that.

https://www.michelin.co.uk/auto/advice/tyre-basics...

[Smint]

I'd be having those off sharpish.

If of interest Camskill have £25 off 4 of their already very well priced Uniroyal Rainsports..
I don't need new summer rubber until next summer season or i'd be taking advantage myself.

[silentbrown]

Smint said:

I'd be having those off sharpish.

Same here, particularly if it was daughter's car.

If they weren't fitted in her ownership, you've no idea what abuse they've suffered - maybe driven with very low pressures?

[wyson]

MrBig said:

Are you sure they are 5 years old? I would check the date codes personally and lead my decision by that.

https://www.michelin.co.uk/auto/advice/tyre-basics...

My Michelin Energy Savers cracked like that within 3 years.

[Hustle_]

Circumferential cracking like that is cosmetic. It’s very fashionable for everyone to say “replace the tyre” on here because of course everybody here has soooo much money. It is not dangerous because the tyre won’t suddenly fail. It’s for that reason it will pass an MOT, possibly with an advisory, possibly without. As Wyson said, just rubber which has hardened due to UV.

[s p a c e m a n]

Agree that's nothing, just monitor it.

[helix403]

They are dangerous and need changing. They could fail suddenly when driving.

[wyson]

Living in the lovely area of London I do, came across this slashed tyre the other day.

You can see how much rubber there is between the cords and the outside of the sidewall. As long as you can’t see the cords, there is still plenty of rubber supporting them.

[wyson]

Excerpt From the MOT inspection guidelines:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-...

“When assessing cuts in a tyre, it is permissible to check whether a cut is deep enough to reach the ply or cord by using a blunt instrument to open the cut taking care not to cause further damage.

The following criteria should be used when assessing a cut in a tyre:

any ply or cord that can be seen without touching the tyre - fail
if by folding back rubber or opening a cut with a blunt instrument, so as not to cause further damage, exposed ply or cord can be seen irrespective of the size of the cut - fail
if a cut which is more than 25mm or 10% of the section width whichever is the greater, is opened with a blunt instrument and cords can be felt but not seen - fail
Before failing a cut, you must make sure it’s the cords that you can feel not a foreign object. If you’re not sure, then you should pass and advise.”

My Michelins with the OPs sort of cracking didn’t even get an advisory on its MOT.

From what I’ve read, its only dodgy if inside a tread block and the crack runs around the whole circumference of a tyre.

Having said that, I read Michelin’s are prone to UV cracking, so brought Continentals after that. The Conti’s stayed looking like new and I only replaced them due to their age after 8 years.

Edited by wyson on Wednesday 17th July 11:58

[MustangGT]

helix403 said:

They are dangerous and need changing. They could fail suddenly when driving.

Simply not true. I suggest you read the guidelines for MoT. The tyre in the original post would not even get an advisory.

[snotrag]

They look like Michelin Energys and I'd hazard a guess they are fitted on the back axle of a small Citroen or suchlike.

They seem to last almost indefinitely unless people rotate them between front and rear, and circumferntial cracks like that are not uncommon.

[helix403]

MustangGT said:

Simply not true. I suggest you read the guidelines for MoT. The tyre in the original post would not even get an advisory.

I am familiar with the MOT guidelines, thank you. I understand everyone has a different attitude to risk. I would not use these tyres due to the increased risk of failure.