Nearly a fifth of drivers have ignored MOT advisories about their tyres
Almost a fifth of motorists have driven with potentially unsafe tyres after ignoring MOT advisories, according to research. A poll of 2,000 drivers found 27 percent of those who have failed to act on such warnings, following the mandatory safety check, have waited “months” to replace them, and 11 percent have even held off for an entire year – until their next MOT.
Four in 10 (38 percent) confess they only buy new tyres as a result of failing the annual test – despite stopping distances being significantly longer with worn-out tyres.
The study, commissioned by eBay UK to highlight tyre safety, as it relaunches its tyre fitment service offering a choice of more than 3,000 installer locations across the UK, also found 20 percent rarely, or never, check the condition of their tyres.
And 18 percent revealed they have no idea what state their tyres are in, with 12 percent admitting they wouldn’t know how to check.
A spokesman for the online marketplace said: “Our research suggests millions of motorists aren’t fully considering the ramifications of driving with unroadworthy tyres, especially during the winter months.
“It’s not worth the risk when you think about how accessible and affordable a fresh set can be. We want to help motorists embrace the amount of choice that’s out there, providing that hub to shop and book fitment for new tyres around their specific needs.”
The study also found 45 percent are not certain what the tyre pressure for their car tyres should be, and 12 percent rarely – or never – ensure their tyres are sufficiently pumped up.
Meanwhile, 49 percent seldom adjust inflation depending on weather conditions – and similarly, 60 percent don’t do this to take into account number of passengers and amount of luggage onboard.
It also emerged 28 percent have no clue how to change a tyre, and 25 percent aren’t certain where their spare one is located.
And 70 percent aren’t entirely sure what the information on the side of car tyres refers to, or what it means.
Further to this, 27 percent don’t know what to look for when purchasing new tyres, but 58 percent are clear on one thing – they believe tyres sold in garages are too expensive.
Despite this, the research, carried out through OnePoll, found 66 percent have never considered purchasing them from retailers other than a garage, such as online sellers.
The spokesman for eBay UK, which has more than doubled the number of garages in its UK tyre fitment network this year, added: “It’s crucial motorists understand how car tread impacts stopping distances – especially in adverse weather conditions.”
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