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diggingahole
Forumite 45 posts
in Motoring
Bought 2 new high performance tyres off eBay last year, seller has shop and lists anything between 100-200 items, 95% being wheels and tyres, so a business...
Not according to eBay customer services who ignore UK law and allow seller to operate without giving name or contact details, even although there own policy states otherwise.
The 'new' tyres have perished so badly in a few months and less than 500 miles, they are both illegal and very dangerous.
I contacted the makers (Nokian) support line and have now found out these 'new' tyres were 14 years old when sold to me last year.
This rogue trader being allowed to trade 'under the legal radar' with eBays blessing could end up killing someone.
Don't buy tyres from eBay member vk2011vk, if you buy from anyone check the date tyre was actually made.
Not according to eBay customer services who ignore UK law and allow seller to operate without giving name or contact details, even although there own policy states otherwise.
The 'new' tyres have perished so badly in a few months and less than 500 miles, they are both illegal and very dangerous.
I contacted the makers (Nokian) support line and have now found out these 'new' tyres were 14 years old when sold to me last year.
This rogue trader being allowed to trade 'under the legal radar' with eBays blessing could end up killing someone.
Don't buy tyres from eBay member vk2011vk, if you buy from anyone check the date tyre was actually made.
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Replies
Looking at a typical new tyre sale from that seller, the obvious question is "Why so cheap, what's the snag?" - and now you know...
The other big clue with those is looking at Accelera's website - the "Epsilon" tyre is not listed - the only one they list in that size is the "Eco Plush" - that, alone, should be a warning of old stock, even if you ignore the state of them in the photo and assume the datestamp on the pic is an error.
You didn't look at the age when they were delivered?
The manufacture date is marked on a sidewall of all tyres since at least the early 80s.
Four digit code - 2000s. WWYY - week number, year.
Three digit plus triangle - 1990s - WWY - week number, year.
Three digit no triangle - 1980s
There is no legal age limit on selling or using tyres in the UK.
There is a "gentleman's agreement" between manufacturers and reputable retailers that only tyres under five years old should be counted as new.
I am retired but spent 50 years in motor trade, 3 other mechanics (and one was an ex tyre fitter) also could not find DOT year mark. Only after a lot of online investigation over past week and contacting Nokian customer support for a second time did I finally find the date, so trying to be clever on here really doesn't help.
BTW you are wrong, law is now in place regarding tyre age on certain vehicles, which may be extended to include passenger vehicles
Yes, there will be legally enforceable maximum age limits - but not for cars. Nor are there any officially announced plans to introduce them.
The offence will be fitting and using, not selling.
From 1 February 2021 it is illegal for the front (steering) axle or axles of:
to use tyres aged more than 10-years.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/use-of-tyres-aged-more-than-10-years-on-goods-vehicles-buses-and-coaches/tyre-age-restrictions-for-good-vehicles-buses-coaches-and-minibusesAs I said - you've now found out why these were so suspiciously cheap.
If they really didn't have a DOT date on, that alone should have raised eyebrows - the Nokian winters I bought in 2016 certainly did.
Also tyres collected in the evening, new with labels so never expected them to be 14 years old, and remember 3 mechanics looked at these tyres and could not see DOT date info, in daylight with a torch!!!
Only after 2 emails to Nokian customer support was it explained
I now know why but to be honest will not bother to explain on here
Ref eBay and Paypal, been on eBay for 15 years, over 2000 100% feedbacks, I am certain I know more than you how it works so don't really need advice from you... thanks.
Ref your comment 'As I said - you've now found out why these were so suspiciously cheap' WRONG you never even knew how much I paid for them, they were not really cheap as could have bought mid range tyres for same price anywhere, but wanted same tyres as the 2 good ones already fitted, I like all 4 tyres the same on my cars.
Why bother coming on here making unhelpful comments when you don't even understand the facts... bit sad really.
There is still no age limit for any vehicle in place as we write now.
When there is an age limit in place in a week's time, it will not restrict sale, just use.
When there is an age limit in a week's time, it will not affect tyres of the size and type you bought for the type of vehicle you bought them for.
I'd say "there is no limit" is a fair one-line summary of that situation, wouldn't you?
If you paid near the normal price for them, and they were advertised similarly to those ones, then I really wouldn't be shouting about that if it was me.
So what tyres (you said Nokian, but what model?), what size?
Given they're Nokians, I presume they were winters?