Used car sold with worn tyres

shattapaprika1

I recently bought a 2019 Kia Niro hybrid from a reputable dealership for ~£13,000.

I had the car inspected by Halfords and 2x Kwikfit garages
- Both Kwikfit garages suggested the inner tyre tread was 0-1mm and was "unsafe to drive" 
- This was likely excessive edge wear due to wheel misalignment which was another defect front and rear. 
- Halfords advised the rear brake discs & pads were worn and should be replaced

I returned the car to the dealership and requested a refund (this is within 10 days of buying the car). 

They got back saying they've inspected the car and everything is above their "threshold" but they will replace the rear tyres "out of goodwill".

I declined this and asked for written and video evidence of the tyre tread depths, and if this isn't provided I should be able to exercise my 30-day right to reject a vehicle under the Consumer rights act.

They declined saying the tyre treads are not below the legal limit.

The next day they send me a video of someone measuring the inner tread depth at 2.1mm but not measuring the other rear tyre. I am also told that the rear tyres have been replaced (without my authorisation).

I am not sure where to go from here - I have said this is unacceptable and if a refund is offered within the next 48hrs I will be submitting a dispute to the Motor Ombudsman and raising this issue with Trading Standards.

Any further advice on next steps would be much appreciated!

MattMattMattUK

shattapaprika1 said:

I recently bought a 2019 Kia Niro hybrid from a reputable dealership for ~£13,000.

I had the car inspected by Halfords and 2x Kwikfit garages
- Both Kwikfit garages suggested the inner tyre tread was 0-1mm and was "unsafe to drive" 
- This was likely excessive edge wear due to wheel misalignment which was another defect front and rear. 
- Halfords advised the rear brake discs & pads were worn and should be replaced

I returned the car to the dealership and requested a refund (this is within 10 days of buying the car). 

They got back saying they've inspected the car and everything is above their "threshold" but they will replace the rear tyres "out of goodwill".

I declined this and asked for written and video evidence of the tyre tread depths, and if this isn't provided I should be able to exercise my 30-day right to reject a vehicle under the Consumer rights act.

They declined saying the tyre treads are not below the legal limit.

The next day they send me a video of someone measuring the inner tread depth at 2.1mm but not measuring the other rear tyre. I am also told that the rear tyres have been replaced (without my authorisation).

I am not sure where to go from here - I have said this is unacceptable and if a refund is offered within the next 48hrs I will be submitting a dispute to the Motor Ombudsman and raising this issue with Trading Standards.

Any further advice on next steps would be much appreciated!

If they tyres were legal there was nothing wrong, they replaced them free of charge anyway so you now have nothing to complain about.

KiwkFit have a reputation, many on here would never take a vehicle to them. 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1j7733DfDM3jcXJfWGPM49P/inside-kwik-fit

Take the car to a proper garage, ask them to check wheel alignment. Discs and Pads are consumables, they may have some wear but not be below the replacement threshold, if you are worried then have a look yourself of take them to a reputable garage. 

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Hello OP

I believe a car has to be roadworthy when sold, don't know enough about cars to say if tyres below the legal limit are classed as unroadworthy (seems obvious it is but I don't know) and I think that might give you cause to exercise the short term right to reject but with the short term right burden of proof is upon yourself 

1.6mm is the legal limit I believe, do you have anything in writing to show the tyres were below this? 

I'd forget the discs and pads unless they are bad enough to fail the MOT. Had the car recently had an MOT? 

£13k could mean a claim ends up in a track where costs can build up. What kind of dealer are we talking here? Back street place could fold even if you win, a large company with many outlets far less likely so. 

Tucosalamanca

It's an odd tale. Who buys a car from a reputable dealership, then proceeds to visit three garages in the space of a few days?
Based on experience, my advice is never visit Halfords or Kwik Fit.
I wouldn't trust them to inflate a tyre to the correct pressure.
The car will be under warranty, so why would you go elsewhere? Is their more to the story than you're letting on?

born_again

shattapaprika1 said:

I recently bought a 2019 Kia Niro hybrid from a reputable dealership for ~£13,000.

I had the car inspected by Halfords and 2x Kwikfit garages
- Both Kwikfit garages suggested the inner tyre tread was 0-1mm and was "unsafe to drive" 
- This was likely excessive edge wear due to wheel misalignment which was another defect front and rear. 
- Halfords advised the rear brake discs & pads were worn and should be replaced

I returned the car to the dealership and requested a refund (this is within 10 days of buying the car). 

They got back saying they've inspected the car and everything is above their "threshold" but they will replace the rear tyres "out of goodwill".

I declined this and asked for written and video evidence of the tyre tread depths, and if this isn't provided I should be able to exercise my 30-day right to reject a vehicle under the Consumer rights act.

They declined saying the tyre treads are not below the legal limit.

The next day they send me a video of someone measuring the inner tread depth at 2.1mm but not measuring the other rear tyre. I am also told that the rear tyres have been replaced (without my authorisation).

I am not sure where to go from here - I have said this is unacceptable and if a refund is offered within the next 48hrs I will be submitting a dispute to the Motor Ombudsman and raising this issue with Trading Standards.

Any further advice on next steps would be much appreciated!

What's a reputable dealership?
How long is MOT?
Mileage of car?
Has it been serviced as per Kia (every 10K miles or 12 months, which ever is 1st) to keep the 7 year warranty in tact?

Did you not look at the tyres before purchase?
Did you check past MOT's for any advisories?

https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history 

They have offered to fix. Where is the issue?

TBH, & as above Halfords & Kwik Fit are places that will tell you everything needs replacing.

MattMattMattUK

Tucosalamanca said:

It's an odd tale. Who buys a car from a reputable main dealer, then proceeds to visit three garages in the space of a few days?
Based on experience, my advice is never visit Halfords or Kwik Fit.
I wouldn't trust them to inflate a tyre to the correct pressure.
The car will be under warranty, so why would you go elsewhere? Is their more to the story than you're letting on?

A friend went to one of these large chain garages for his work car, they put four new tyres on (only needed two), they inflated them to 26PSI, for his car they should have been at 36PSI. They also tried telling him he needed new sets of discs and pads on all four wheels, they had only been replaced two months earlier and were still in perfect condition (verified by the MOT the car had the following week). 

shattapaprika1

Thank you for all your comments.

The car was bought from a Lookers chain. 30K miles. MOT supposedly passed 1-2 weeks prior to purchase. I am no car expert so looking from the outside the tyre treads look fine - it's the inner tread that is significantly worn due to misaligned wheels that was subsequently noticed by a friend. 

I sent it to different garages to make sure the tyre/brake claims weren't just a single garage claiming so. They also offered different services (e.g. one branch could do the wheel alignment check) - hence the multiple visits. 

Both Kwikfit garages provided written confirmation of the tread depth with photos of the tyre condition. I also have written results of wheel alignment check showing front and rear tyres require aligning.

I agree these issues are consumables - but my two concerns are:
- there are two garages providing written confirmation that the tread depth is between 0-1mm and is "unsafe to drive", whereas only Lookers have showed me a result of 2.13mm (significantly different) on a single tyre. Frankly I am more suspicious of Lookers trying to save face than two other garages corroborating each other. 

- my bigger concern is how misaligned wheels and worn tyres (2.1mm is still very worn) got through their services team and whether there are other problems hidden in the car. Their behaviour afterwards (replacing the tyres without my authorisation) makes me very suspicious and distrustful in their service team.

Jumblebumble

shattapaprika1 said:

Thank you for all your comments.

The car was bought from a Lookers chain. 30K miles. MOT supposedly passed 1-2 weeks prior to purchase. I am no car expert so looking from the outside the tyre treads look fine - it's the inner tread that is significantly worn due to misaligned wheels that was subsequently noticed by a friend. 

I sent it to different garages to make sure the tyre/brake claims weren't just a single garage claiming so. They also offered different services (e.g. one branch could do the wheel alignment check) - hence the multiple visits. 

Both Kwikfit garages provided written confirmation of the tread depth with photos of the tyre condition. I also have written results of wheel alignment check showing front and rear tyres require aligning.

I agree these issues are consumables - but my two concerns are:
- there are two garages providing written confirmation that the tread depth is between 0-1mm and is "unsafe to drive", whereas only Lookers have showed me a result of 2.13mm (significantly different) on a single tyre. Frankly I am more suspicious of Lookers trying to save face than two other garages corroborating each other. 

- my bigger concern is how misaligned wheels and worn tyres (2.1mm is still very worn) got through their services team and whether there are other problems hidden in the car. Their behaviour afterwards (replacing the tyres without my authorisation) makes me very suspicious and distrustful in their service team.

It would appear that the qualified MOT tester and road traffic  law  has a different view on what is safe to the person who gets commission for upselling
Lookers are I assume correctly showing you the main depth and not is what is on the edge
Kwit fit are talking about the edge depth
They probably  are both correct

However I would not be accepting this on any car I own  and would be delighted if a Garage gave me considerable betterment by supplying new tyres without quibble


The legal tyre tread depth limit for cars in the UK and Europe is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. By law, the tread depth must meet this minimum requirement across its complete circumference. 

Veteransaver

What don't you just buy a tyre tread gauge and measure it yourself? It's not rocket science 

born_again

shattapaprika1 said:

Thank you for all your comments.

The car was bought from a Lookers chain. 30K miles. MOT supposedly passed 1-2 weeks prior to purchase. I am no car expert so looking from the outside the tyre treads look fine - it's the inner tread that is significantly worn due to misaligned wheels that was subsequently noticed by a friend. 

I sent it to different garages to make sure the tyre/brake claims weren't just a single garage claiming so. They also offered different services (e.g. one branch could do the wheel alignment check) - hence the multiple visits. 

Both Kwikfit garages provided written confirmation of the tread depth with photos of the tyre condition. I also have written results of wheel alignment check showing front and rear tyres require aligning.

I agree these issues are consumables - but my two concerns are:
- there are two garages providing written confirmation that the tread depth is between 0-1mm and is "unsafe to drive", whereas only Lookers have showed me a result of 2.13mm (significantly different) on a single tyre. Frankly I am more suspicious of Lookers trying to save face than two other garages corroborating each other. 

- my bigger concern is how misaligned wheels and worn tyres (2.1mm is still very worn) got through their services team and whether there are other problems hidden in the car. Their behaviour afterwards (replacing the tyres without my authorisation) makes me very suspicious and distrustful in their service team.

Well it either did or didn't.
Check the link I posted to check. It will tell you the date & any advisories.

Niro HEV is a good car, having had one for over 2 year. Just not as good as the EV version 😍

Ergates

shattapaprika1 said:

I recently bought a 2019 Kia Niro hybrid from a reputable dealership for ~£13,000.

I had the car inspected by Halfords and 2x Kwikfit garages
- Both Kwikfit garages suggested the inner tyre tread was 0-1mm and was "unsafe to drive" 
- This was likely excessive edge wear due to wheel misalignment which was another defect front and rear. 
- Halfords advised the rear brake discs & pads were worn and should be replaced

I returned the car to the dealership and requested a refund (this is within 10 days of buying the car). 

They got back saying they've inspected the car and everything is above their "threshold" but they will replace the rear tyres "out of goodwill".

I declined this and asked for written and video evidence of the tyre tread depths, and if this isn't provided I should be able to exercise my 30-day right to reject a vehicle under the Consumer rights act.

They declined saying the tyre treads are not below the legal limit.

The next day they send me a video of someone measuring the inner tread depth at 2.1mm but not measuring the other rear tyre. I am also told that the rear tyres have been replaced (without my authorisation).

I am not sure where to go from here - I have said this is unacceptable and if a refund is offered within the next 48hrs I will be submitting a dispute to the Motor Ombudsman and raising this issue with Trading Standards.

Any further advice on next steps would be much appreciated!

If they've addressed the issue - by replacing the tyres - what is the problem?