Is this Typical Wear for Barum Tyres?

Gazza68

Hi, Looking for some advise/comments please.
My wife's car was MOT 'd recently, and although it passed, it was issued with an advisory notice that the 'nearside front tyre was worn close to the legal limit'. I also understand the offside front tyre is not far behind either. Checking details as to when the tyres were fitted, I noticed that both fronts were fitted last year Feb. Also checking the mileage, I was more than surprised to discover that it has only done 11,123 miles. These were Barum tyres (from Continental), bought online through https://www.tyre-shopper.co.uk and fitted at 'National Tyre & Autocare'. Lodging a query/complaint with https://www.tyre-shopper.co.uk is another story, but their eventual response was that the tyre is manufactured with 8mm tread, and with 3mm remaining, the difference of 5mm being used over the 11,000 miles is normal!
I obviously disagree, and would expect a set of tyres to last longer than 11,000 miles and/or 15 months use - especially seeing that she uses the car for school runs, grocery trips etc on typical roads, no offroad, gravel raods, etc.
Appreciate any thoughts on the matter please.
Thanks
Gazza

gilbert_and_sullivan

In theory your tyres have another 1.4mm to go, normally the least wear occurs for the last couple of mm, so you could probably get 15K from those tyres.
I wouldn't recommend it though, my own tyres don't get below 3mm before replacement either.

You haven't said what sort of car it is, it could be a perky thing and your wife could be making use of good acceleration...no criticism, no point in having a quickish motor and driving like a vicar.

Also her usage is really quite heavy on tyres, lots of turning and stopping and maneuvering.
If she were driving at constant speed on the motorway in a straight line most of the time the tyres would probably last much longer.

Also of course assuming the car is FWD, the front tyres are doing everything.

TBH the wear doesn't sound bad to me, if the tyres have good grip especially wet grip then i wouldn't worry a jot about the mileage within reason.

Some well known names in high mileage tyres are skittish on wet roads, not for me.

thescouselander

I dont know why you are supprised - they might be made by continental but they are still a cheapo brand. I have heard of front tyres wearing out this fast on some FWD cars. If your car is heavy on the front tyres it might be better to buy a more expensive tyre that will wear better. Also check on the net for reviews to see what sort of wear people are getting before buying.

Gazza68

Thanks for all your input. Guess I should have mentioned the car type etc - just for clairty it's a Merc A140, FWD, her drive style is very cautious, and typical raod usage is probably 50/50 between motorway and town roads. Guess I be replacing them with a better brand. Thanks again for your inpout. Cheers. Gazza

vikingaero

If you're looking for mileage/low wear then go for Michelin Energys.

11k on Barums which I think are softish on a FWD nose heavy car on short journeys is about right. As the tyres have worn unevenly (near side gone first) you should look to have the tracking checked.

thescouselander

I tend to find that cars to like specific brands of tyres - whats good on one model/make might be rubbish on another. It might be best to find a Mercedes forum and ask what other people with the same car are running.