A popular online mechanic has warned used car buyers to always inspect the tyres of vehicles they are interested in to see if the seller has caused any damage to the vehicle.
Craig Cox is a mechanic at Walsall Wood Tyre and Service, and regularly creates TikTok videos offering advice that can help drivers steer clear of scams, costly repair bills and fines.
In a recent video, Craig suggested how drivers can check if a used car has been ran on a flat tyre, stating it could mean the buyer would likely have to buy a replacement.
He explained: “A bit of a safety concern. How can I tell if a tyre has been run on flat? Well, nine times out of ten it is very obvious, if we look here on this one, we can see this nice, rub, scuff line all the way through the centre of the tyre.
“And what has been happening is the sidewall of the tyre has actually been folding in on itself. The rubber material inside is being rubbed away by itself, so the sidewall itself actually becomes much thinner.”
Showing viewers a tyre that had been run when it was flat on a Jaguar, Craig noted that they typically feature a line in the middle of the sidewall where it has come into contact with the road surface.
Whilst it is likely that the tyre had a puncture, and the driver did not know about it until it was too late, the mechanic stated that flat tyres which have been run are much weaker and prone to damage.
To prove his point, the mechanic showed viewers that he was able to squeeze the sidewall, making handling much less predictable.
Craig added that, whilst the mark on the tyre is a little unsightly, its lack of strength could cause it to blow out at high speed, endangering the lives of any surrounding road user.
He added: “Now, if you see that on your tyre it is dangerous, that tyre could blow out at any moment. So please, if you’ve driven it on flat, replace it.
“Don’t just blow it up and hope for the best because it’s not just you that you are putting at risk, it’s your passengers and other people on the road. Stay safe.”
However, running a car with flat tyres does not only mean the driver will need to buy replacements, with the vehicle accessory retailer Halfords noting further damage could be inflicted.
According to the company, if a motorist runs the car for even a short length of time, it could completely destroy the wheel.
In addition, the Highway Code states that the only time drivers should move a car on a flat tyre is if they have a puncture and cannot call for assistance.
