Buying something used is often a great way to save money and avoid costly mark-ups. But buying a used tire can sometimes cost you a lot more — it can cost you your life.
More than 30 million used tires are sold in the U.S. each year, according to Safety Research and Strategies. In fact, used tires represent about 10 percent of the 318 million tires sold in the U.S. annually.
Used tires are extremely profitable for those who sell them…but customers don’t always know what they’re getting.
Used tire salesmen will sometimes make a recycled tire look newer than it actually is. This is the result of the tire being repainted black, to disguise the wear and tear inflicted on it. If you’re looking to buy a used tire, you should examine the inside – often, the shiny exterior masks the damages inflicted to the inside. Many used tires are collected and stored under circumstances that do not properly gage the range of their safety – in fact, they are often stored in ways that contribute to their rapid deterioration.
It is often difficult to get tires properly inspected. Machines that employ shearography, a method of detecting tire defects with lasers, usually cost between $150,000 and $250,000. They are often used for airplanes, which usually employ retreated tires. However, many used tired dealers are used to dealing with low-rent situations and customers, and cannot afford this technology.
Keep in mind that used tires represent a profit both ways for tire dealers. They usually charge a fee to take the used tires off the hands of their original owners. In addition, they make another profit once they resell the tires. If a tire is badly damaged, it can be ground down into scrap rubber, but this is less profitable than reselling the used tire. As a result, they sometimes fail to thoroughly examine a used tire, forsaking safety in the name of profit.
In addition, most people outside of the automobile industry are not aware of the proper grading scale for tire quality, meaning that they are unable to recognize problems with tires when they see them. Different states have different quality standards regarding the treading of tires, but it’s important to look up what standards apply to your automobile – and, if you’re offered used tires, to be able to understand if the tires you want are up to code.
Some safety groups are calling for tighter regulation of used tires. They say this could be done through more careful inspection of these tires, and through careful regulation of tires that are put up for resale.
Indeed, owning a used tire can pose a major risk. Safety Research and Strategies reported 106 accidents 85 deaths on the road that were the result of separation of tires more than six years old. The lack of regulation and proper safety inspection for most used tires means that if you put them on your vehicle, you’re running an incredible risk. New tires might more expensive, but they’re also more likely to get you and your family where you’re going in one piece. Until higher standards are in place for used tires, not saving some money could wind up saving your life.
The author also recommends that you read:
http://www.safetyresearch.net/Library/Used_Tires.htm
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