A worrying number of drivers have put off tyre replacement due to the cost-of-living crisis, according to research by eBay.
The ecommerce site has found that 87% of drivers surveyed admitted that rising costs are the reason for putting off a tyre replacement. One in ten (11%) said that they had put off buying new tyres for their car in the past three years, despite knowing they needed replacements, while 58% said that tyres sold direct by garages were too expensive.
When it finally comes to carrying out tyre replacement, 23% of motorists surveyed said they were unaware what the information on the sidewall of their car tyres means.
Worn tyres were cited as the fourth most common reason for cars to fail their MOT in data from the first quarter of the year. However, eBay’s survey revealed that more than 15% of motorists admitted to ignoring a tyre replacement advisory, with 8% having done so in the last 12 months.
While many people have received advisories for low tyre tread, 27% said they had waited months before addressing the problem while 11% admitted to waiting a full year, until their next MOT test, before getting a new set of tyres.
As well as delaying the purchasing of new tyres, eBay’s research also found that 11% were not confident when checking the tread on their tyres, while 10% stated that they have no clue about the recommended tyre pressures for their vehicle.
These findings come as 18% of drivers revealed plans to embark on long journeys (more than 100 miles) during the Christmas break, when weather conditions are typically poor.
Younger drivers avoid tyre replacement
The figures suggest that younger drivers are even more likely to put off tyre replacement. eBay’s survey results show that despite knowing they need to change tyres, 44% of 18–24-year-olds decide to hold back on the decision to do so.
Additionally, 33% of drivers in this age category admitted to ignoring advisories from their MOTs that said they needed a tyre replacement.
With younger drivers unlikely to have as much disposable income, especially in the cost-of-living crisis, the fact that so many are risking not only their safety, but that of other road users as well if they are not considering tyre replacement, is worrying. Education is clearly needed around tyre safety and understanding that tyres are an investment.
Ian Faulkner, Category Manager, Car Tyres and Performance Parts at eBay UK Ltd, said: “Our research suggests millions of motorists are not fully considering the ramifications of driving with unroadworthy tyres, especially during the winter months. It is not worth the risk when you think about how accessible and affordable a fresh set can be.
“As a mechanic, I have witnessed first-hand the reluctance of drivers to address tyre damage promptly,” added Hannah Gordon, eBay expert and mechanic. “People are often put off by cost, and understandably, they think if they pass an MOT, they are fine, which is not always the case. Braking distance and overall handling, especially in winter weather, can be seriously impacted by tyre health and tread depth.”
