Assymetric Tyres fitted INSIDE OUT!

CrazyChemist_2

Hello all,

I had four new Dunlop SP30 tyres fitted to my car a few months ago.

On each of the sidewalls the tyre says "OUTSIDE", however on the front passenger side tyre, the marking says "INSIDE".

I now know this to be a shocking error when the tyres were fitted just a few months ago, but as they are assymetrical tyres, (see here for link to Dunlop's tyre info,) what implications are there for safety?

Let me answer that one myself, see here and I quote from this source, a page of Dunlop's website:

Unlike a directional tyre, an asymmetric tyre can be used in any position on the vehicle. It is very important however, to follow such wording as 'inside' and 'outside' on the tyre's sidewalls to ensure that the tyre is fitted 'the right way round'. As with directional tyres, incorrect fitment can seriously impair performance. And, again if you do use a wheel with an incorrectly fitted asymmetric tyre, it should be regarded strictly as a 'Temporary spare'. Please note:

• A 'Temporary spare' is limited to 50 mph (80 kph)
• A car whose tyres are not fitted in accordance with the instructions on the sidewall will fail its MOT

Now, after reading that, I have a further question - how did my car pass its MOT, a week after having the new tyres incorrectly fitted?

Furthermore, I had to return to the tyre-fitting garage to have the tracking redone as they messed that up so when my steering wheel was straight, the car veered to the left. How didn't they notice the fault at that point?

I've been travelling at speeds around 70mph, under the impression that my car was fitted with the latest in tyre technology, when I shouldn't have exceeded 50mph, as per Dunlop's advice for the incorrect fitment of the tyre.

Going back to the MOT test garage (a main dealer for my car make) which failed to notice this potentially fatal mistake and passed the car's MOT... What can I do to complain against the dealer who carried out the MOT and failed to notice this?

Any advice/suggestions/comments would be much appreciated as I am not used to dealing with issues of total incompetence. I would like to ask for a full refund of ALL FOUR TYRES AND FITTING COSTS plus compensation for possible serious injury/death as a result of this incompetence. Additionally, I would like both front tyres replaced and the tracking re-done, as the front nearside (which is incorrectly fitted) has developed abnormal stretch-like marks on the treads in comparison to the other three tyres, which is what brought my attention to this in the first place.

italiastar

I was tempted to say that it probably wouldn't make a diffrence until I saw your comment about the strech marks. These people are muppets! I suggest you contact Dunlop for advice - http://www.dunloptyres.co.uk/contact/ and then give it to these idiots right between the eyes. I would definately demand a new pair of tyres at least !

As for the main dealer, these are even bigger muppets - I'd ask them for a refund of the MOT fee

CrazyChemist_2

The MOT was free under a deal when the car was bought from them called "Free MOT for Life". However, I didn't expect incorrectly fitted tyres to be passed!

I'd like to ask for the front two tyres to be replaced and for a refund of the total cost of all 4 tyres and all labour costs, as part compensation for potentially costing me my life!

Also seeing as there are such bad stretch marks on the tyre, isn't there a possibility that something more serious could be wrong with the front bearings or something? I don't trust them to give me an honest opinion on any problems caused by this.

YorkshireBoy

Are you a member of one of the motoring organisations? Maybe it's not the first time this has happened. They may have assisted on a test case brought by another member.

What about the government body responsible? Used to be the Department of Transport (DOT) - is it still?

I would have thought if it was a "main dealer" they would want to keep this error well under wraps - especially where the MOT is concerned!

Glad you've raised the issue though, because my car will need two new fronts this summer and it's the first car I've had with tyres marked "outside". I'll certainly be checking they're fitted correctly now.

Good luck with your quest.

CrazyChemist_2

I'm a member of the AA, but they have recently closed down their legal department, so I've consulted my home insurance legal policy helpline. They don't seem to see the full context but have said I am entitled to a replacement of the faulty tyre if it has bad stretch marks on it (great advice huh?). If there'd been a serious accident and police had investigated and found the incorrect fit, both the tyre fitter and the MOT garage would have been in very deep trouble.

I've emailed HQ but received no reply since I sent the email. It's almost 24 hours now but still no reply/contact. I'm pondering contacting Trading Standards, but if they are as helpful as they were a couple of years ago (with a different product fault), I have no hope.

Are there any other regulatory bodies or any organisation with clout which could help sort this out for me?

CrazyChemist_2

Kwik Fit still refuse to do anything apart from swap the tyre around.

They don't acknowledge that they've messed up.

Is there a regulatory body for car garages and faulty repairs for example like OFCOM for phone companies? Don't say trading Standards because they're rubbish. I could have got better advice from a brick wall.

ManAtHome

Only ones I know of are RMIF (should be called ASWG - Always Side With Garage...), and SMMT who deal mainly with warranty issues (no experience with this lot). Don't think there's a truly independent one though.

Baz-Bee

I sympathise with your predicament.


The only problem i can see is that as it all happen so long ago both will say that someone else has tampered with the tyres since they were fitted and then MoT was undertaken.

Suggest you contact Kwik Fit HQ and offer them the opportunity to replace the tyre(s) that is/are now useless due to their error. Say if they do not you will get an independent report undertaken and will then claim for damages thro small claims and will then charge for the independent report as well. You may find that Dunlop would want to be involved with any investigation/report and they may also put pressure on Kwik Fit if they are approved fitters of thisparticular specalist tyre.

My only other view is that Kwik Fit are normally very expensive for evrything and are seldom the best place to purchase tyres, etc.

CrazyChemist_2

I spoke to the HQ (they're very rude, but they're based in Scotland, so it's expected!).

They passed me through to the operations manager for my area who agreed to have the garage look at it. They did and replaced the one tyre only. Now I have one tyre wth 8mm and the other front offside with around 6mm.

As it happened, another customer came back into Kwik Fit at exactly the same time, and said that they had fitted her exhaust improperly and she had consequently failed the MOT Test. Muppets then had to compensate her!

Moral of the story - STAY AWAY FROM KWIK-FIT.

P.S: They've been bought from Sir Tom Farmer by some French company - another reason to stay away

isayoldchap

CrazyChemist wrote:

I spoke to the HQ (they're very rude, but they're based in Scotland, so it's expected!).

They passed me through to the operations manager for my area who agreed to have the garage look at it. They did and replaced the one tyre only. Now I have one tyre wth 8mm and the other front offside with around 6mm.

As it happened, another customer came back into Kwik Fit at exactly the same time, and said that they had fitted her exhaust improperly and she had consequently failed the MOT Test. Muppets then had to compensate her!

Moral of the story - STAY AWAY FROM KWIK-FIT.

P.S: They've been bought from Sir Tom Farmer by some French company - another reason to stay away

You need to write a firm letter to the operations manager requesting that the police and trading standards maybe interested in your tyre.Do you remember who fitted it?Maybe the fitter's name prepared the bill.In your best interest you will need to advise the operations manager that the tyre will need to be replaced as it may invalidate your insurance.The police should be able to assist here.Of course I would remove the tyre at once.Make sure you take pictures beforehand(digital camera).I am assuming that Kwik-fit will not be interested to replace the tyre-so go on line to make a saving.Some good prices can be found at mytyres,blackcircles and some at costco.You then nominate a garage to fit in your chosen area(oh costco do it at their outlets)
or I believe some will come to you.There is some useful info on here.

rchddap1

Personally I wouldn't go near quik fit with a rather long barge pole. My sister used them to get some brakes fittted. Turns out they hammered them in! When her bf had a look he told her that they were so dangerous that she shouldn't be on the road. They did admit their mistake, and only offered some vouchers as compensation. Surprisingly enough she hasn't used them.