Should I buy used tires? Differences between new and used tires

Tires are absolutely basic equipment of every car. Unfortunately, since they wear out regularly, sooner or later you will have to replace them. Find out where to buy used tires and what to look for when choosing them. We will try to dispel doubts and give tips in our guide. Are used tires always a good choice? When is the best time to buy new ones? We answer these questions in the text!

Tires - new or used? Be careful when choosing

Not without reason, manufacturers of new tires warn against buying and installing used tires on car wheels. Although on the portals you will find offers to sell the set for the price of one piece, seriously consider whether the game is worth the candle. Used tires sometimes look great at first glance, but once installed, they can be thrown away. Problems with the right balance and holes in previously invisible places are unpleasant surprises that can meet you. So if you're unsure of the source, it's best to just buy new tires.

The condition of your car's tires can lead to an accident!

Used tires are tempting for their price, but sometimes they can cause serious accidents.. In 2018, due to a technical malfunction of the car, 7 people died, 55 were injured. In more than 24% of cases, the cause of the accident was the poor condition of the tires. Therefore, pay attention to the condition of your vehicle and do not skimp on the comfort and safety of yourself and others. A trusted technician or a knowledgeable friend should be able to help you purchase automotive equipment, whether it's new tires, headlight replacements, or clutches. 

Buying used tires. Double check everything!

Treat buying used tires as a last resort and be extremely careful when doing so. Remember that in many situations it will be much safer to buy a new product from a lesser known brand. Unfortunately, if you don't know the history of tires, you just might be a road hazard for more than just yourself. Be especially careful when buying winter tires. Good quality tires will help you avoid dangerous skids. Never buy tires from an unreliable source. If the product description does not contain information about any defects, the seller will still not report them to you.

Used tires - how to buy? Some Tips

If you really need to buy used tires for your car, be sure to heed a few tips:

• First, check them carefully. If they have any external damage, such as cuts or minor scratches, discard this set;
• secondly, also pay attention to the protector. Want to really save money? Its depth must be at least 3 mm. Thanks to this, you can use tires for more than one season;
• third, also pay attention to whether the wear is even on all tires. 

The date of manufacture is also important, which should be the same on all tires, because the rubber used in their production simply gets old. 

What should I ask the previous tire owner?

Used tires often look good at first glance, and only after a few thousand kilometers begin to cause problems. Therefore, before buying, do not hesitate to ask the former owner for details about them! Ask not only about their course, but also about:

• where they were bought;
• how many years were operated;
• Under what conditions have they been stored so far? 

Be sure to also find out how often the previous owner serviced them, checked the pressure, and whether he did it at all. Before you pay for new tires, test them yourself. Don't be fooled by the new production date because tire wear after 2-3 years for example can be very high.

Used car tires must not be older than 6 years.

Remember to avoid using old tires. If the production period is more than 6 years, do not buy them. In addition, if you plan to ride on such tires for several seasons, bet on tires no older than 4-5 years. The older they are, the less secure they will be and the more likely they are to wear out. Also pay attention to how many kilometers you drive in a year. If your routes are really long, don't skimp and bet on new tires with a guarantee. Don't take chances looking for used ones as their internal structure is often destroyed. 

Where to sell used tires? It's not always easy

Do you have used tires that you want to get rid of? Selling used tires is not easy. Often the easiest way is to get rid of the rubber. However, if you search, you can find a company that is willing to provide such a service and use them for something else. Molten rubber can eventually be turned into materials for someone else to use. Regardless of the size, you can sell tires for 20-8 euros a piece and be sure that they will be melted down and used, for example, as an additive in asphalt. 

Used tires decompose over the years

If you care about the environment, don't even try to throw your used tires into the woods or other places. It will take more than 100 years for one piece to decompose, because there are a lot of polymers in the compound that makes up the tires. Therefore, a much better solution is recycling, which gives used tires and rims new life. Tires may not last very long in their original form, but no doubt someone else will be able to use the material they are made from if you let them. 

Used tires are much cheaper than new ones, but the low price is not as important as road safety. Used car kits can be a good short-term solution, but sometimes they're not worth saving. The low purchase cost is one of the few advantages of used tyres.