Failed NCT ? Bulge in tyre???

Sligo1

Hi All,

My mum failed her NCT today due to a "bulge in her left tyre". I havent all the details as shes in a different county so apologies if I cant be more specific. I havent seen official report. But just wondering if anyone has heard of this and can tell me exactly what it is or what is meant by it? Car is 4 years old with run-flat tyres. Car had health check yesterday and all tyre pressures checked and ok. Threads all ok... None bald.

So just wondering what they mean by a "bulge"??

Thanks

djimi

It means there is a weakness in the wall of the tyre and it is literally bulging. Im amazed it wasnt picked up yesterday if they were checked. Whatever she does, tell her not to drive on it until she can be sure how safe it is; last thing she wants to risk is a blowout...

Sligo1

djimi wrote: »

It means there is a weakness in the wall of the tyre and it is literally bulging. Im amazed it wasnt picked up yesterday if they were checked. Whatever she does, tell her not to drive on it until she can be sure how safe it is; last thing she wants to risk is a blowout...

Thanks djimi. Im raging now! Annoyed at the thought that the garage perhaps didnt check the tyres properly. But Im also surprised that there was no loss of tyre pressure? Its a new tyre aswell.

I dont really know anything about tyres but I would have thought runflats would be slightly safer than normal tyres or that perhaps they wouldnt "blow out" like other tyres may?

But thanks again for your help. Will tell mum to replace the tyre as soon as possible.

Anan1

Sligo1 wrote: »

Thanks djimi. Im raging now! Annoyed at the thought that the garage perhaps didnt check the tyres properly. But Im also surprised that there was no loss of tyre pressure? Its a new tyre aswell.

I dont really know anything about tyres but I would have thought runflats would be slightly safer than normal tyres or that perhaps they wouldnt "blow out" like other tyres may?

But thanks again for your help. Will tell mum to replace the tyre as soon as possible.

A bulge is usually as a result of the internal reinforcing cords in a tyre's sidewall having been damaged by something like hitting a kerb. Runflats have much thicker sidewalls than normal tyres (thick enough to support the weight of the car when deflated), i've never seen one with a bulge myself. Any chance you could get hold of a pic?

Sligo1

Anan1 wrote: »

A bulge is usually as a result of the internal reinforcing cords in a tyre's sidewall having been damaged by something like hitting a kerb. Runflats have much thicker sidewalls than normal tyres (thick enough to support the weight of the car when deflated), i've never seen one with a bulge myself. Any chance you could get hold of a pic?

Hey. I would but because mums in a different county I probably wont get to see it before it's replaced. I just rang her there and told her not to drive on it and asked her had she checked it out. She said she could she it and it was quite small. So im presuming it just looks slightly bulged out or deformed or something. But then she could have just told me it was small so I wouldnt be worrying about her. Just annoyed the garage didnt pick it up. Wouldve saved her a lot of hassle. I wouldnt have thought it possible for runflats to have these ailments.

phill106

would look a bit like this!

This is an extreme one though

Sofiztikated

It's also quite possible that the bulge occurred after the garage did the check on them.

Sligo1

Sofiztikated wrote: »

It's also quite possible that the bulge occurred after the garage did the check on them.

Id say thats highly unlikely but possible. Tyres checked yesterday late afternoon. NCT this morning. No curbing on way home (apparently!).

bazz26

Did she ever get a puncture on the run flat previously and continue to drive on it for some time? While a punctured run flat tyre may not deflate initially, continuing to drive on it will weaken the wall even when the puncture is repaired.

dieselbug

At least she wont have to pay for a retest as the tyre will be a visual item.

Sligo1

bazz26 wrote: »

Did she ever get a puncture on the run flat previously and continue to drive on it for some time? While a punctured run flat tyre may not deflate initially, continuing to drive on it will weaken the wall even when the puncture is repaired.

No its a fairly new tyre. Mums never had a puncture. Just replaced all tyres not so long ago.

Sligo1

dieselbug wrote: »

At least she wont have to pay for a retest as the tyre will be a visual item.

Im pretty sure they said she will have to pay for a re-test. Coulda been worse. At least they picked it up... otherwise couldve been other consequences. Thanks all for your replies

bazz26

If they have to put the car on the test lane again then there will be a retest charge.

Hal Decks

Sligo1 wrote: »

Sofiztikated wrote: »

It's also quite possible that the bulge occurred after the garage did the check on them.

Id say thats highly unlikely but possible. Tyres checked yesterday late afternoon. NCT this morning. No curbing on way home (apparently!).

It's entirely possible the damage occurred since the "check", and it doesn't have to be an impact with a kerb either.

Sligo1

Hal Decks wrote: »

It's entirely possible the damage occurred since the "check", and it doesn't have to be an impact with a kerb either.

Hence why I said "possible" and was only adding that she did not hit any curbs as this is apparently something which may cause a "bulge".

Hal Decks

Sligo1 wrote: »

Hal Decks wrote: »

It's entirely possible the damage occurred since the "check", and it doesn't have to be an impact with a kerb either.

Hence why I said "possible" and was only adding that she did not hit any curbs as this is apparently something which may cause a "bulge".

You mean she told you she didn't hit any kerbs? This is a woman you're talking about. They don't remember hitting 110% of what they actually hit!

Sligo1

Hal Decks wrote: »

You mean she told you she didn't hit any kerbs? This is a woman you're talking about. They don't remember hitting 110% of what they actually hit!

All your post are quite entertaining Hal Decks. You obviously have a lot of time on your hands. Im very jealous. Have a really good day

Mellio

Sligo1 wrote: »

All your post are quite entertaining Hal Decks. You obviously have a lot of time on your hands. Im very jealous. Have a really good day

This kind of thing really gets up my nose, you do the right thing and try to get everthing in order and still you get caught out.

I find it hilarious that people always put the blame on the driver, never the mechanic or the fitter/checker in this case.

In my opinion dont bother going to anyone before NCT, just get done whatever comes up in the test, 4 year old car you would expect it to pass first time, really annoying this slipped by for your mam.

I personally think thes types of places are lazy, just want to take money without doing a proper job, just based on my own experiences.

I think unfortunately there will be a retest but part and parcel with NCT, might as well say €78 for NCT test cos there is generally always a second one for older cars anyway.

biko

It's possible the bulge is small and on the inside of the tyre. The garage should have seen it but if you just give each tyre a quick glance you might miss it.
Just speculation of course.

amiable

If it's just a replacement tyre it will just be a visual inspection and will be free.
She should not need to book an appointment either.
The cost of a new tyre isn't the worst thing that could have shown up but I do get your annoyance OP.

Sligo1

amiable wrote: »

If it's just a replacement tyre it will just be a visual inspection and will be free.
She should not need to book an appointment either.
The cost of a new tyre isn't the worst thing that could have shown up but I do get your annoyance OP.

Ah yea it couldve been worse. But the tyre is relatively new and runflats are around 300 euro.n Like I said.. at least its been picked up now. Hopefully you're right and it will just be a visual inspection. Will have to check what exactly they said to her. Thanks again all.

Grayditch

Hal Decks wrote: »

You mean she told you she didn't hit any kerbs? This is a woman you're talking about. They don't remember hitting 110% of what they actually hit!

You're lucky Sligo1 has manners.

pippip

A tyre bulge can also be caused by a pothole.

slimjimmc

Sligo1 wrote: »

Im pretty sure they said she will have to pay for a re-test. Coulda been worse. At least they picked it up... otherwise couldve been other consequences. Thanks all for your replies

bazz26 wrote: »

If they have to put the car on the test lane again then there will be a retest charge.

Agreed.
The NCT manual confirms that a test lane is required so a retest fee will be charged as a result.

Any tyre or wheel examination must be performed with the vehicle raised on the lift to ensure that all parts of the wheel and tyre can be examined thoroughly.

Yawns

A tyre bulge could be caused by a number of things including pot holes or kerbing like pointed out. It may have been fine when checked and something happened afterwards or maybe the guy checking didn't notice it. Worth ringing and seeing what they say but most likely they'll deny.

I'd guess that if your mother can actually see the bulge then it's prob on the outside and noticeable so would probably have happened after the check. Even a pre-NCT crowd much as I dis like them can't miss that.

As for the test fee it's quite possible that if the tester noticed the tyre condition early, then he may have stopped the test and not continued on so for the re-test it may have to be put in the lane again. If it's just the tyre it may be a free visual re-test. Even if paying it's not a full fee as long as it's done within a few weeks.

EDIT: I see slimjimmc's post about tyres needing to go on lift so a re-test fee will apply. Cheers jim I actually didn't know that!

galwayjohn89

slimjimmc wrote: »

Agreed.
The NCT manual confirms that a test lane is required so a retest fee will be charged as a result.

I failed on Tyres but no retest needed. Just need to turn up although this was due to excessive cracking so might be different.

Sligo1

Anan1 wrote: »

A bulge is usually as a result of the internal reinforcing cords in a tyre's sidewall having been damaged by something like hitting a kerb. Runflats have much thicker sidewalls than normal tyres (thick enough to support the weight of the car when deflated), i've never seen one with a bulge myself. Any chance you could get hold of a pic?

014.JPG

Hi again, just update for anyone who wanted to see... managed to get a pic. think it only a small one... but just for thoses interested to see what it looks like. Got the full details from mum... and apparently does not need retest... just proof that tyre is new... which is great. Thanks again. you learn something new every day!

Looks like it was smacked off something, there's a little cut there.

Sofiztikated

As RJ says, that looks like it hit something nicely, a pothole maybe.

Looks like a slight cut, as well as the bulge.