AA Zone | Forum | "CAN'T FIX THAT, YOU NEED A NEW TYRE"

"CAN'T FIX THAT, YOU NEED A NEW TYRE"

Are we being ripped off by tyre suppliers?

Original Post

Posted At
21/01/2009

flightliner

The puncture (in the treaded area of the tyre circumference) is deflating enough. You find a tyre supplier that carries out plug&patch repairs (ie Kwik fit, ATS), and you then meet the so called expert at the shop who deflates you further with the line "can't fix that, you need a new tyre". According to BS AU 159f :1997 to which they allegedly work the tyre is actually repairable ,and the repair is classified as Major. I was an Aircraft Technician for 30 years, regularly dealing with tyre damage examination and assessment etc. In pre-history I attended a course at Fort Dunlop into tyre construction and repair. I'm not an expert, but I feel I can claim some level of expertise.

ATS and Kwik Fit only repair MINOR punctures (in the central 70% of the tyre tread area, area T as defined in the British Standard.

Damage outside this central area is in zone W, and IS REPAIRABLE in accordance with the same British Standard. The statement they make "that can't be repaired" is intentionally misleading, and costs the customer a new tyre, (far more profitable), whereas if they said "it is repairable but we don't have the expertise and can't repair it", the customer could possibly go elsewhere, probably also buying a replacement tyre elsewhere. This customer certainly did (the purchase was necessary as I'm now a chauffeur, and have to have a spare.)

I speak as a disgusted motorist with a tyre in such a condition, only three thousand miles old, and at £180 each tyre, as against £15 for a repair, (there's the profit).
How many people just accept the notion that it can't be repaired?

A positive decision has been taken at board level in these tyre suppliers to rob the motoring public of their hard earned cash, by not carrying out repairs approved by the British Standards Institute. How does it go? "you can't get better than a Kwik fit fitter!" Baloney.

Maybe it's time for the Board of Trade, the AA and the RAC to investigate this rip off, as that is what it is, and is just as damaging as back street garages ripping customers off.

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flightliner Posts: 2	Subject: "CAN'T FIX THAT, YOU NEED A NEW TYRE" Posted At: 21/01/2009 10:02:54 The puncture (in the treaded area of the tyre circumference) is deflating enough. You find a tyre supplier that carries out plug&patch repairs (ie Kwik fit, ATS), and you then meet the so called expert at the shop who deflates you further with the line "can't fix that, you need a new tyre". According to BS AU 159f :1997 to which they allegedly work the tyre is actually repairable ,and the repair is classified as Major. I was an Aircraft Technician for 30 years, regularly dealing with tyre damage examination and assessment etc. In pre-history I attended a course at Fort Dunlop into tyre construction and repair. I'm not an expert, but I feel I can claim some level of expertise. ATS and Kwik Fit only repair MINOR punctures (in the central 70% of the tyre tread area, area T as defined in the British Standard. Damage outside this central area is in zone W, and IS REPAIRABLE in accordance with the same British Standard. The statement they make "that can't be repaired" is intentionally misleading, and costs the customer a new tyre, (far more profitable), whereas if they said "it is repairable but we don't have the expertise and can't repair it", the customer could possibly go elsewhere, probably also buying a replacement tyre elsewhere. This customer certainly did (the purchase was necessary as I'm now a chauffeur, and have to have a spare.) I speak as a disgusted motorist with a tyre in such a condition, only three thousand miles old, and at £180 each tyre, as against £15 for a repair, (there's the profit). How many people just accept the notion that it can't be repaired? A positive decision has been taken at board level in these tyre suppliers to rob the motoring public of their hard earned cash, by not carrying out repairs approved by the British Standards Institute. How does it go? "you can't get better than a Kwik fit fitter!" Baloney. Maybe it's time for the Board of Trade, the AA and the RAC to investigate this rip off, as that is what it is, and is just as damaging as back street garages ripping customers off.
miyazu Posts: 2	Subject: Re: "CAN'T FIX THAT, YOU NEED A NEW TYRE" Posted At: 19/02/2009 17:17:49 Have just also had training at Fort Dunlop, and they advise that you do not repair outside of the repairable tread area (Minor repairs) and even if you do, you should then advise the motorist, that the speed rating of the tyre has dropped a letter, just by having that repair. The instructor actually advised that you should always recommend a new tyre rather than repair it, just for safety. Major repairs can be carried out by specialists, but in the case of most car tyres the cost would be more than the tyre is worth.
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