Tyre Damage - is it safe to drive

browneyedbazzi

Hi folks, I'm not very mechanical and I'm hoping someone can advise regarding a damaged tyre - the tyres are virtually new but one has a bit of damage (possibly from a kerb) and i'd like to know if it's safe to drive and if it would cause an MOT failure.)

maninthestreet

The side wall will be weakened as a result of that gouge- the tyre needs to be changed.

victor2

I'm no tyre expert, but would say drive it to a tyre place for a new one. Don't drive at speed (like not above 50mph) and make sure your spare is properly inflated, if you have one. If you have a full size spare, I'd put it on. If it's a space-saver, I'd drive carefully with the damaged tyre on.

vaio

only really a problem if there is a bulge or other distortion or if the damage goes deep enough to expose the internal cords/fabric.

Doesn't look like it but check carefully and if either of the above apply then change it, if not then I'd certainly carry one using it.

browneyedbazzi

vaio wrote: »

only really a problem if there is a bulge or other distortion or if the damage goes deep enough to expose the internal cords/fabric.

Doesn't look like it but check carefully and if either of the above apply then change it, if not then I'd certainly carry one using it.

I've looked at it really closely and I can't anything exposed. The deepest bit is about 2-3mm (max) and I can just see rubber. I'm not really sure when it happened tbh because although I walk round the car and look at the tyres fairly often it's not really obvious from any distance so I only noticed it when I checked my tyre pressures and had a really close look

Mr_Toad

That is dangerous!

How thick do you think the tyre wall is that it can sustain damage like that and not be a weak spot?

Every time you corner on that tyre you put strain on the tyre wall and that damaged area is likely to tear.

Get it changed.

Idiophreak

Personally, I'd get it changed. Otherwise I'd just worry about it...and my life's worth more than a new tyre.

vaio

(c)the tyre has a cut in excess of 25 mm or 10% of the section width of the tyre, whichever is the greater, measured in any direction on the outside of the tyre and deep enough to reach the ply or cord;
(d)the tyre has any lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure;
(e)the tyre has any of the ply or cord exposed;........

is the law from C&U regs, as i said above if the cords aren't exposed and there is no sign of a bulge then I'd carry on using it although as Idiophreak has said, if you are the worrying sort then you can get peace of mind for the cost of a new tyre (and contribute to getting the economy going again )

s_b

no cords showing
no carbuncle showing
i would drive it
as vaioi says

Lum

If you have a nearby tyre place I'd drive there and get it replaced, it'll be fine for a local trip. Punctures can happen at any time anyway.

Be sensible about it, keep to 30mph, don't drive in the wet, don't hoof it sideways around corners towards a bus stop full of children and kittens, and ideally don't drive it at rush hour as there will likely be more pedestrians and vehicles about increasing risk and also holding everyone up.

Worst case scenario if you do this is you end up changing to the spare tyre at the side of the road, you were going to be changing the tyre anyway.

Is this a front or rear tyre? Front is riskier than rear in the event of a puncture.

vaio

Lum wrote: »

......don't hoof it sideways around corners towards a bus stop full of children and kittens......

always a good idea