Dodgy Tyres from Kwik fit?

sniperpenguin

Not quite sure what to do here.

In August I bought 4 new tyres from Kwik-fit (in Llandudno) on a price match (£236 inc. balancing - awkward size ). Today, the same car failed it's MOT (at a National Autocentre - 200 yards down the road) after 2,000 odd miles on one thing, a dangerous tyre. :mad:

I would've thought "vandalism" but the damage was to the INSIDE wall of the tyre. Going to check it out it was plain to see that the tyre was degrading. The MOT tester told me three things:

1. The damage was due to a rapidly degrading tyre
2. The tyre was dangerous
3. To be wary of the other three, since the tyres were a cheap no-name he had never heard of, and the same may happen to the others.

Now this is my fiancee's car, and she is now scared to drive the car once the offending tyre is replaced. Do I have any grounds with kwik-fit?

The jobsworth there told me that there is "no warranty" with the tyres, and the damage "could've happened anywhere" although this was before I reviewed the damage at the MOT centre. A quick call to kwik-fit later informing them of this (and me mentioning complaints to head office) and they have asked me to speak to their manager on Monday.

I have told the test centre to put the dangerous tyre in my boot for Kwik fit to look at, but if I dont get what Im after (refund on dodgy tyre, different replacements for others) then I'll go to the head office :mad:

dook_2

Have it checked somewhere else?

I just had my MOT at a nationwide autocentre and they told me my car was 'a death trap' 'about to break in half' 'a miricle that nothing had fallen off it'. I was terrified. I've now taken it to a different garage for a second opinion and they said it's just a few rust spots and it can be fixed, they thought the nationwide man had gone completely overboard.

I'm still undecided, but I have been told (after I had my MOT there) that they will tell you any car is a complete wreck.

It might be worth a second opinion.

sniperpenguin

Valid point - but consider the age and type of Car (T Plate Rover 200), he could've come at me with lots more "vague, scary repairs" than a single tyre. Bushes, suspension and exhaust come to mind The car passed everything apart from this tyre.

Also, he left it on the ramp for when I arrived and the damage was plain to see - a peeling of the outer wall (like somebody was trying to cut out the side of the wheel intermittently (sp) but the edges were frayed, not sliced)

Yogibear

I would take your car to another MOT station not those type you mention is there no garages near you,surely your tyres would have some sort of guarantee if they were new. I took my RAV 4 to a Toyota garage the same sh*te I was told your car is a death trap the brakes have gone your pads discs are illegal 2 bald tyres they wanted £1200 to get it through it`s MOT:mad: ,I asked the guy if he could see the zip on the back of my head:rotfl: ??!! drove off took it to a local garage £112 service and MOT.

MORPH3US

Anothere horror story to tell here about Nationwide Autocentre but sounds like thats not what you wnat to hear....

I've also heard horrow stories (and had bad experiences myself) with Quik Fit. That said, I have had cheap tyres off them and they have been fine.

So I don't really know what to say, but to speak to the manager on Monday and see what he says!

M

vansboy

Assuming you have your reciept & the tyre(s), then it'll not be a problem for KwikFit to confirm what the actual defect is.

Also the MoT tester will have issued an advisory note, in relation to the other non-defective tyres. If he hasn't, ask for it - it's free & they SHOULD do this automatically, when presenting you with your test paperwork.

I'm sure KwikFit will sort it out properly, for you. If they don't, did you pay by credit card - you'll have your redress against the card company, too.

Regarding the tester not knowing of the tyres brand, won't really mean the tyres are 'dodgy', as this is common practice for the makers, to create different names on their prodect. It helps 'persude' roadusers to change in pairs, or sets, when they wear out!!

VB

chrisw

It doesn't only happen to 'cheap' tyres. I had a brand new Michelin put on and a phone call from the MOT station a week later saying the new tyre was dangerous as there was an egg-sized bulge in the inside wall. I took it back to the tyre place who tried to tell me it was kerbing damage but couldn't explain why it should be on the inside. They agreed to replace it eventually and said they were going to send it back to Michelin.

Thinking about it afterwards, we have those square road humps with the edges flaking off down our road and I wondered if straddling one of those might have damaged the tyre.

roswell

If you want to know about Nationwide heres a short story for you, Got my car serviced 2 weeks ago, 10 mins after dropping it off I got a call that went.

" Your car we have done a pre MOT check"
"My car isnt due a mot for 2 weeks"
"Oh we know But, Before a MOt you will need a new back box"
"Why ? its not blowing or anything"
"Oh yes thats right but its going to go soon, That will be £90, you will need new front disc and pad"
"Disc and pads ?? the pad were replaced 2 months ago"
"Oh yes but the discs are dangerousely worn and warped so are the rears, front disks and pad are £149, rear diska and pads are £149, Plus your service charge of £129 plus the £90 exhaust and labour you are looking at £700"

"Put my car back together and service it dont do any work"

It went for its mot last week, £40 for the test (not at nationwide) No faults found.

Please note I havent even suffered brake judder or pulling to one side or sckreeching(SP?) brakes I had them checked the day before the MOT no problems found, Nationwide are con men!!

I will only take my car to the little men now, I get tyres done by a one man band, brakes and exhaust by another 2 man operation and still looking for a good place to get a service.

AP

roswell wrote: »

If you want to know about Nationwide heres a short story for you, Got my car serviced 2 weeks ago, 10 mins after dropping it off I got a call that went.

" Your car we have done a pre MOT check"
"My car isnt due a mot for 2 weeks"
"Oh we know But, Before a MOt you will need a new back box"
"Why ? its not blowing or anything"
"Oh yes thats right but its going to go soon, That will be £90, you will need new front disc and pad"
"Disc and pads ?? the pad were replaced 2 months ago"
"Oh yes but the discs are dangerousely worn and warped so are the rears, front disks and pad are £149, rear diska and pads are £149, Plus your service charge of £129 plus the £90 exhaust and labour you are looking at £700"

"Put my car back together and service it dont do any work"

It went for its mot last week, £40 for the test (not at nationwide) No faults found.

Please note I havent even suffered brake judder or pulling to one side or sckreeching(SP?) brakes I had them checked the day before the MOT no problems found, Nationwide are con men!!

I will only take my car to the little men now, I get tyres done by a one man band, brakes and exhaust by another 2 man operation and still looking for a good place to get a service.

I would tell BBC Watchodog about your story with them!

ailuro2

chrisw wrote: »

It doesn't only happen to 'cheap' tyres. I had a brand new Michelin put on and a phone call from the MOT station a week later saying the new tyre was dangerous as there was an egg-sized bulge in the inside wall. I took it back to the tyre place who tried to tell me it was kerbing damage but couldn't explain why it should be on the inside. They agreed to replace it eventually and said they were going to send it back to Michelin.

Thinking about it afterwards, we have those square road humps with the edges flaking off down our road and I wondered if straddling one of those might have damaged the tyre.

No, straddling a road hump just once or twice should not cause that kind of damage-on a regular basis it affects tracking which can affect your tyre's wear pattern in the longer term. Even a very good quality tyre can have a defect,just that it happens very rarely,and even more infrequent is to have a life threatening defect.

The incidence of events like this on cheaper tyres will be much higher :eek: because they don't have the same build quality,good raw materials,tyre design or stringent quality controls in place,so a far higher percentage of defects will be made,and therefore make it past any quality control checks.

Michelin and other higher end manufaccturers will likely investigate the defect thoroughly to see what went wrong, not so sure about the cheaper tyres bought from KwikFit-however if it is not fit for the purpose it is meant for then you deserve a refund.:mad:

ariba10

Poor tracking or suspension damage will cause tyre damage.

Tracking useually affects the two front wheels but a damaged suspension or duff wheel bearing will affect single tyres on any wheel.