The Motor Ombudsman has officially unveiled its new ‘WORN‑WARN’ tyre safety awareness campaign live at the UK Garage & Bodyshop Event at the Birmingham NEC.
The online and social media drive, backed by the charity TyreSafe, has been designed to shine a spotlight on the severe risks of motorists buying and fitting part‑worn tyres that carry an unknown history and potentially hidden structural damage.
The launch comes in direct response to a survey of 2,000 UK adults which revealed that nearly a third of those polled would consider buying part-worn tyres, a figure that rises to nearly half amongst the 25 to 34 age group.
According to the research, more than two-thirds of those open to second-hand tyres cited saving money as their primary motive, with 88% stating that cost-of-living pressures have made them more likely to turn to second-hand purchases to stretch household budgets.
While sellers of part-worn tyres are legally subject to strict labelling rules, the study found that 43% of prospective buyers were entirely unaware that the word ‘PART-WORN’ must be stamped on the sidewall.
Nearly seven in ten respondents admitted to not knowing how to read a Department of Transport DOT code, meaning the vast majority of consumers cannot identify the age or lifespan of a tyre and are highly likely to take a seller’s claims at face value.
Paul Brown, General Manager of the Tyre Division at The Motor Ombudsman-accredited Lindleys Autocentres garage group, warned that cost pressures are changing consumer behaviour, stating: “As motorists continue to face increasing financial pressures, it can be tempting to cut back on vital car maintenance, as the recent Motor Ombudsman study has found.”
He strongly advocated for a safety-first approach to rubber, adding: “However, spending money on tyres should never be compromised, and buying new at a reputable fitter should always be the first choice regardless of budget, meaning consumers are not taking a gamble when it comes to a tyre’s condition.”
Addressing the practical side of the campaign for workshop owners, Brown noted: “The ‘WORN-WARN’ campaign also provides garages and workshops, like ourselves, with a brand-new suite of eye-catching assets and tools to help educate motorists on what to look out for when buying and maintaining tyres, a subject that should not be overlooked.”
Stuart Lovatt, Chair at TyreSafe, highlighted the unseen operational dangers of these second-hand units, explaining: “Tyres are the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road, but millions of part-worn tyres enter the market every year with an unknown history, hidden structural damage, or inadequate inspection by either sellers or vehicle owners.
“They may appear great value on the surface, but they can unfortunately compromise braking performance, increase the chance of blowouts, and put road users at risk of serious harm.”
How are cost-of-living pressures affecting sales in your workshop? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
