Tyres: What are those crack marks?

siliconbits

My MOT is in 2 days and I almost freaked out seeing those cracks on the two rear wheels of my car (A Vauxhall Corsa).


I know they are bad but will I fail my MOT because of that?
I checked the tyre pressure on all four wheels and they are all on 25PSI except for the rear, near curb one which reads 24.
What could possibly have caused such a damage?
How can I avoid that next time?
The car was purchased last year with these wheels.

Thanks for helping out!

s_b

ask mot station to check your date stamps on the sidewalls
that tyre looks near the legal minimum anyway
suggest for peace of mind have all tyres changed for new
this will stop you freaking out too

Hasbeen

Tyres do crack as they get older. The rubber is breaking down.
Suggest brand new tyres as it does look like mot failure

Is 24/25psi recommended for your tyre size?

siliconbits

I will get the tyres changed ASAP.



For the pressure, I don't know which ones really. From the table it seems to indicate 29/26 for front and rear. Anyone knows whether the eco mode shortens the life of your tyres or has an adverse effect on driving?

neilmcl

s_b wrote: »

ask mot station to check your date stamps on the sidewalls
that tyre looks near the legal minimum anyway
suggest for peace of mind have all tyres changed for new
this will stop you freaking out too

Doesn't look anywhere near. They look at least 3mm higher than the wear indicators.

OP, as suggested check the date of the tyres, older tyres will crack over time but don't worry too much, I'l doubt that'll fail your MOT.

siliconbits

Thanks everyone for your advices. I will change the pair, rather than all four as the front ones are still in good condition.

facade

siliconbits wrote: »

I know they are bad but will I fail my MOT because of that?
I checked the tyre pressure on all four wheels and they are all on 25PSI except for the rear, near curb one which reads 24.
What could possibly have caused such a damage?
How can I avoid that next time?

They won't fail the MOT
I bet they say "Continental" on the sides (They are renowned for it at ridiculously low age- like 12 months)

Do not buy continental tyres, or anything that says it has a "new" or "special" compound.

As s b says, check the dates on the sides, nowadays they reckon 5 years from manufacture. (It used to be 7, if you goto a museum, and look at the tyres on something 50 or 60 years old, they won't be cracked anything like as bad, but the rubber goes hard and won't grip)

siliconbits

Facade. Spot on! They are Continental. I'm looking at Black Circles tyres ATM. They have good reviews and are decently priced.

Joe_Horner

Unless they can see the cords those will pass an MOT, but would be a good idea to get them changed sooner rather than later.

facade

siliconbits wrote: »

Facade. Spot on! They are Continental. I'm looking at Black Circles tyres ATM. They have good reviews and are decently priced.

If you google continental tyres cracking there are thousands of hits.

Black circles will do the fitting at ATS, they are both owned by Michelin.

I've had two cars with Continentals, both covered in cracks between the tread blocks, same with the tyres on my pushbike.

The pushbike I'm looking to move to schwalbe, the car likely Uniroyal, Falken, Yokahama depends on the price when they wear out. (Which isn't long with Continentals )

neilmcl

facade wrote: »

If you google continental tyres cracking there are thousands of hits.

Black circles will do the fitting at ATS, they are both owned by Michelin.

I've had two cars with Continentals, both covered in cracks between the tread blocks, same with the tyres on my pushbike.

The pushbike I'm looking to move to schwalbe, the car likely Uniroyal, Falken, Yokahama depends on the price when they wear out. (Which isn't long with Continentals )

As you will do if you google the same with Michelin, Bridgestone etc.