Using 2 tyres that have been stored outside for 3 years

whomitconcerns

Hi all,

So when I bought my car a few years ago...through one thing or another I bought 4 new tyres within 6mths. When fitting them (Nov 16), the fitters told me that the 2 rears (michelen Pilot 3s) were brand new less than 1000km. I kept them but they have been stored not very well outside covered/uncovered since.

Now i need a new tire and its about time to replace all 4 anyway. You reckon I can still use the old 2? Cant get the same ones still.

Its about £500 for the 4 new ones, so if i just needed 2 would be better. (car is an A5 quattro and about 20k miles driven on the current tires)

Woudl appreciate some thoughts as I can go order and put myself out of misery today

Mad_Mike

Depends on the condition. You say there were stored covered and uncovered. Was it a few years covered and a month or 2 uncovered etc?
NCT allows anything within 6 years. Are they date stamped older than the 3 years?
Have seen people here have tryes fitted by places that are brand new, but 2 or 3 years old going by the date on tyre

Car99

Mad_Mike wrote: »

Depends on the condition. You say there were stored covered and uncovered. Was it a few years covered and a month or 2 uncovered etc?
NCT allows anything within 6 years. Are they date stamped older than the 3 years?
Have seen people here have tryes fitted by places that are brand new, but 2 or 3 years old going by the date on tyre

NCT have no age limit on tyres, you get an advisory if they're over 6 but it's not a fail.

whomitconcerns

They were mainly uncovered tbh, the other factor is that they would be mismatched to 2 new ones. Ive been told in the past as its a quattro, better to have all 4 the same?

Found an "offer" for £520 for 4 asymmetric 5s fitted...its a ton of money...but safety and all that...and if i have to sell next year (new Environmental charge in London )

Mad_Mike

Probably better keep them matched alright if it's a Quattro, but if they are in decent condition, there is no reason they could not be used
At the end of the day, all our tyres are "stored" outside for the life on them on the car, albeit partially covered
Maybe even sell them on to make a few quid for the other 4?

con747

Tyres degrade over time hence tyre companies do not sell tyres over 5 years of age. Retailers might chance it and some don't even know how to find the date stamp in my experience.

whomitconcerns

Ah i pulled the trigger on the new ones £523 fitted. I have a fair few trips to ireland and into europe I want to take before brexit if possible..so prob best to cover the bases..

Thanks anyway guys!