Secondhand Tyres

[Mark in Ireland]

Whilst I’m sure everyone who buys 2ndhand tyres for track use examines them closely before potential use, I thought I’d share this with you. I bought 5 used moulded Dunlop slicks advertised as 220/640/17 with lots of life left in them from a private seller on ebay. Pics supported thread left. They arrived taped up in a stack of 5 with the top tyre showing 220/640/17. Never checked condition immediately as all previous tyre purchases from other sellers had been as described. However, a few weeks later, unwrapped tyres to get fitted and found out that the other 4 tyres were 200/640/17. Not good, so sent seller email to ask what had happened but he didn't replied.
So decided to put the 200/640/17 tyres on narrow rims. I got my tyre fitter to give them a good examination before fitting in case I’d missed anything. He condemned all 4 due to side wall damage, air was leaking out of pinholes on the outer edge.
So 4 down, 1 to go…..in storage…..
Fast forward to last week…started looking for another 220/640/17 to match the last tyre which from a visual scan at first had looked okay. I happened to go back into my darkened garage to check to see what compound the tyre was and using a small torch checked the side of the tyre. I spotted something suspect as the torch light moved over the rubber and had a very close look…..this is what I found, he’d superglued this very deep gouge back down and it was almost invisible to the naked eye.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/Mark_in_Ire...http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/Mark_in_Ire...

It’s a bit concerning that there are people out there prepared to advertise damaged goods by either giving untrue description of their items for sale or hiding the damage….especially with tyres (and I know it wouldn’t happen if I ‘buy new’!)

[AndyM31]

I'd report the seller on Ebay. it is things like this that put me off Ebay some time ago. I am not saying that all sellers are bad but you get a few like in your case that really should be closed down permanently.

Any news from the seller since your last contact?

[speed rules]

Moral of the story, never use 2nd hand tyres, as you dont know the history.

You learnt the hard way unfortunately, better than causing you to crash though.

[Elderly]

Some more to be careful of

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-x-Pirelli-tyres-205-45-17-...

at least the vendor is being up front about their legality (or lack of it!)

[Mark in Ireland]

speed rules said:

Moral of the story, never use 2nd hand tyres, as you dont know the history.

You learnt the hard way unfortunately, better than causing you to crash though.

Due to the amount of tyres I go through its got to be secondhand and as cheap as possible....but the thing that got me was the seller knew that the tyres would be used again either on a track or maybe a rally stage and high speed would probably be the order of the day and he deliberately tried to hide defects knowing that whoever bought them and used them could have a serious accident with potentially fatal consequences.

[git-r]

Hi Mark, - I think I met you at Bruntingthorpe a few years ago. I was in my white R32 Gtr and you were in a saab 9000 (going very quick!)...
Sorry to hear about your tyre experience - so st when that sort of thing happens

I have been using part worn tyres for over 3 years now and although some have had repairs and the odd bulge in the side wall not one has ever blown out and believe me I've tested them to destruction and probably get through at least 4 sets a year!

Maybe you have a part worn supplier near you? I've biult a good relationship with my guy (in london) and pay £100 fitted for 4 245/40/17 always in good make. If there's a problem they are good.. the tyres they give me are very low tread to start with but still legal and work well on track..

Hope this is of some help..
Cheers,
Sam

[robg2]

Nearly all the tyres I've used in 15 odd years of trackdays / sprints / road rallies have been second hand. You can without doubt go safely on such tyres, but you do need to be careful. I've religiously not bought tyres unseen; infact the only tyre I've ever had a problem with was supplied and fitted for me by a 2nd hand tyre supplier - supporting the fact that 'professional' often doesn't mean ...'professional'.

I do sympathise with you on this occasion though, and I would also report the seller to eBay on the grounds of them selling dangerous goods. eBay supposedly bias towards buyers rather than sellers so there's a chance you'll get him struck off.

I agree that these are totally unacceptable too:

Elderly said:

Some more to be careful of

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-x-Pirelli-tyres-205-45-17-...

at least the vendor is being up front about their legality (or lack of it!)

[sniff diesel]

I've just got myself a set of these ready for next Monday at Bedford:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...