New 4 year old tyres

[anto]

In preparation for winter I have begun my search for some winter tyres.
I have been offered a set of new tyres that have been stored in a shed for 4 years.
Provided that they are still soft, pliable and the sidewalls are not dozed/ cracked will they be ok to use?

Thanks,
Anton

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Well, I'd say [subject to examination] you'll be OK. After all, if you buy a low mileage 6-year-old car the black, round bits are likely to be that old.

 

[clift_d]

Tyres have a DOT code stamped on the side which gives their date of manufacture - usually week no. and year. My understanding is that a lot of the manufacturer's recommend replacement six years after that date regardless of wear, because of chemical deterioration in the rubber. If the tyres you're looking at are less than six years after the date stamped on them then you're good to use them but you'll need to get your money's worth.

I would probably change the tyres on a new-to-me second-hand vehicle, particularly if they hadn't been done in the last few years.

Edit: Conti & Michelin say 10, apparently Bridgestone say 6, so it actually varies.

 

[Robotstar5]

I think the main problem is exposure to UV (sunlight) so if they've been stored in a shed, should be OK.

 

[clift_d]

Oxidisation is also part of the problem and that's unaffected by where they've been stored.

 

[Wallace]

Check what make they are and the companies recommendations then make your decision. Tyre companies have been pushing for years to get a legislated maximum age limit on tyres using safety as the reason.

 

[julianf]

I had some tyers on my landrover that were probably over 15yrs old.

It all just depends on how they have been kept - numbers alone won't tell you.

(Month old rubber can easily be more dangerous)

 

[clift_d]

I had some tyers on my landrover that were probably over 15yrs old.

It all just depends on how they have been kept - numbers alone won't tell you.

(Month old rubber can easily be more dangerous)

Hopefully those tyres have been changed since. And they still deteriorate even if you store them properly.

Anyone else remember this accident, it's only two years ago?: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23320526

The tyre that failed 'had been falling apart internally for months' and 'was only half worn so had either been a spare or in storage for many years.'

 

[julianf]

Hopefully those tyres have been changed since. And they still deteriorate even if you store them properly.
'

I changed them as I wanted different tyres, not because I had any concern about their age.

In context, they were cross ply bar grips.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Tyres have a DOT code stamped on the side which gives their date of manufacture - usually week no. and year. My understanding is that a lot of the manufacturer's recommend replacement six years after that date regardless of wear, because of chemical deterioration in the rubber. If the tyres you're looking at are less than six years after the date stamped on them then you're good to use them but you'll need to get your money's worth.

I would probably change the tyres on a new-to-me second-hand vehicle, particularly if they hadn't been done in the last few years.

Edit: Conti & Michelin say 10, apparently Bridgestone say 6, so it actually varies.

If I changed the tyres on all my vehicles every six years I would be broke!
4 trailers, 2 tractors, 4 cars, 2 motorbikes and a lorry with 7 tyres alone including the spare. They get a visual inspection only, regardless of age.

 

[Shox Dr]

I thought 6yrs was part of the MOT now

 

[TechnicAl]

Ive had 2 blow outs on the Caravan. Both on tyres that looked like new. In fact, once I took them to be replaced only for the tyre place to tell me dont be stupid theyre like new. One blew on the M5 a few months later.
In both cases the tyres have been 5 or more years old.

Having said that they were only stored in the shed in winter.

PS I dont Caravan anymore.......not because of this

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Just totted them all up and its 47 tyres I would have to replace including spares!!!

 

[Bill Edwards]

Rubber does harden, but being stored out of sunlight should help. They're probably fine to use, but it's not possible to say for certain.

I'm not saying there isn't a safety factor, but it would certainly suit people in the tyre business if they were required to be changed at a certain age regardless of condition. You could perhaps say that they have a vested interest...

 

[brightspark]

my mini trailer tyres were second hand when i got them and they were fitted on trailer for 10 years . it used to get well oveloaded.the only reason i changed them they were cracking along the treads

 

[brightspark]

I'm not getting into another old tyre argument on the internet, but I will say my bike front tyre is 10 years old, half the discovery tyres are nearly that and the s3 rubber is coming up 12... Bovvered?

tyred of arguing are u

 

[TechnicAl]

tyred of arguing are u

tread carefully

 

[Wendelspanswick]

It all depends on whether your tyres were made in a Good Year!

 

[Wozzaaah]

Years ago a chap I used to work with bought a set of NOS tyres for his Rolls Royce Shadow, can't remember how old he said they were but they'd never seen the light of day.
They started to fall apart within weeks of being fitted!