A multi-agency investigation revealed the disturbing reality about the state of part-worn tyres being sold to the public, with none of the tyres inspected meeting the legal standards required for sale in the UK.
Organised by Lancashire County Council Trading Standards, TyreSafe and Lancashire Constabulary, the operation targeted three garages in Preston selling part-worn tyres.
Inspectors assessed 30 tyres, and every single one failed to comply with the Motor Vehicle Tyres (Safety) Regulations 1994.
These regulations require that all part-worn tyres:
- Be free from dangerous cuts, bulges, or exposed cords
- Pass an inflation test at the highest pressure at which it is designed to operate
- Have a tread depth of at least 2mm
- Be clearly marked “PART-WORN” in letters at least 4mm high
- Be properly puncture repaired to the current British Standard
None of the 30 tyres inspected were properly marked or subjected to the mandatory inflation test. Serious safety risks were uncovered, including:
- Two tyres had screws embedded
- One tyre showed a severe structural defect
- Another had a sidewall tear risking catastrophic failure
- One tyre was nine years old and showing signs of perishing
Stuart Lovatt, chair of TyreSafe, said: “This investigation paints a deeply worrying picture.
“Not only were none of the tyres legally compliant, but several posed an immediate risk to life. Drivers buying part-worns may think they’re saving money—but what they’re really buying is a ticking time bomb. Tyres are not the place to cut corners.”
The joint operation highlights the urgent need for greater enforcement, retailer accountability, and consumer awareness. TyreSafe warns that selling unsafe, non-compliant tyres continues to undermine road safety nationwide, with part-worns often fitted without even the most basic checks.
Stuart Lovatt added: “TyreSafe continues to campaign against the sale of unsafe part-worns.
“We urge road users to ask: was the tyre properly tested? Is it marked as ‘part-worn’? If not, walk away. It’s your safety—and your life—at risk.”
Lancashire County Council’s Road Safety Team will now engage directly with retailers to improve awareness of their legal obligations around testing, labelling and safe repair standards.
County councillor Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for rural affairs, environment and communities, said, “Many of these tyres appear fine at first glance, but hidden defects can lead to catastrophic and potentially deadly failures on the road. This operation shows why continued education and enforcement are essential.”
Steven Brimble, trading standards officer at Lancashire County Council, said: “Retailers must thoroughly inspect tyres both before and after inflation. It is an offence to supply tyres with hidden damage, even if only detectable once inflated.”
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