Tyre Degradation

NeilF3485

I suspect I know the answer to this, but thought I'd see what people thought anyway.

I purchased a brand new car approx. 14 months ago, and have done 12,000 odd miles in that time.

I have noticed recently that the front tyres are already down to the wear indicators. I don't drive overly aggressively, I do a combination of country and motorway driving, and ESP switched on and so don't get any crazy wheel spin etc. when pulling away.

The tyres are premium (i.e. expensive) brand, and to replace them like-for-like would cost approx. £240 for the pair.

Theoretically, could I go back to the car or tyre manufacturer and argue that the tyre life is significantly lower than one would expect, and push for them to replace them?

Thanks - Merry Christmas!

realdeal1970

when you get new tyre fitted ask them to send back as fault tyres and see what happen it dont cost you anything and you never know

but if the tyres are michelin they wont pay out ever

Oliver14

It's very difficult to prove tyre wear will depend on the roads you drive, if your wheels are balanced, your driving style, the type of car and many other factors

NeilF3485

I figured it would be difficult to prove, the only evidence I suppose I can give that it hasn't been thrashed around is that the Service Indicator comes on anywhere between 12 and 19 thousand miles (I think).

If I thrashed it around, I would have expected it to have needed a service by now.

Also, they are Pirelli not Michelin.

realdeal1970

get them sent back they will test tyre and let you know by letter what they find

if they find a fault you a % back from where you buy your new tyres from

kaya

by "premium" tyres i am guessing you are meaning grippy sporty ones from an expensive manufacturer? the tyres with more grip are usually made from softer rubber compounds and will wear out quicker, but i know how you feel , i have a 4x4 which doesn't do "fast" but had to replace my premium tyres after only 18 months (they looked new when i brought the car) , my size aren't made by cheap companies so the only ones i could find were pirelli zero's to replace my old ones, they cost me £215 each :sad:

GlynD

I've done this and was successful. I had a hi-performance Pirelli replaced because it failed. It developed bumps on the tread. Pirelli took it very seriously and sent an inspector all the way from Dublin to my house. One thing I would say to you: be sure your tyre pressures are ok because they can tell just by looking at them if they've been run over or under inflated.

unholyangel

I'm far from a mechanic or tyre expert (I do know more than how to change a tyre though! Bonding time with my dad :rotfl: By bonding I mean "helping" him to ensure he doesn't break anything....he's not very light handed ) but I think most tyre websites that give the "mileage" for tyres would state that these are to be used as a guideline only.

Where you may have a case is if they guarantee their tyres to last a minimum mileage. Although i think this is unlikely as many things will affect the wear on a tyre over and above the actual driver/driving style. Remember that while you may not speed, harsh braking can also be more wearing for your tyres than gradual slow braking.

Just to add though, any tyre manufacturer that DID have a guarantee must be very very very confident in their product and I wouldnt mind paying over the odds for them

NeilF3485

kaya wrote: »

by "premium" tyres i am guessing you are meaning grippy sporty ones from an expensive manufacturer? the tyres with more grip are usually made from softer rubber compounds and will wear out quicker, but i know how you feel , i have a 4x4 which doesn't do "fast" but had to replace my premium tyres after only 18 months (they looked new when i brought the car) , my size aren't made by cheap companies so the only ones i could find were pirelli zero's to replace my old ones, they cost me £215 each :sad:

Yep - Pirelli Zero Rosso are the factory fitted boots on mine, and so are expensive.

It's a tricky one really, generally I've always been against buying budget tyres on the grounds that the tyres are the only thing keeping you in contact with the ground, and that it could also be a false economy buying £60 tyres every 10k miles, but buying £120 tyres every 20k+.

I'm now changing my tune I suspect - might as well buy £60 ones that have more road noise but last the same length of time.

The_Pedant

As kaya says, different makes of tyre have different wear rates due to differing compounds.

Worst I've had was a set of Toyo's that I only got about 10,000 out of, the best I've had are Michelins with over 20,000+.
Personally I only expect around 12,000 or so from a set of tyres, especially if they're on the front wheels, anything more is a bonus in my books.

nomoneytoday

Over a year and 12000 miles is a little under, but IMHO within normal range.
I have had 4 sets of fronts in 55000 as a comparision