Part-worn tyres have a bad reputation. And it's partly deserved.
The problem has never been the tyres themselves. It's sellers who skip safety checks and put damaged, borderline-illegal rubber on cars belonging to people who don't know what to look for.
A 2012 Trading Standards investigation found that 98% of part-worn tyres on sale in the UK were being sold illegally — missing mandatory markings, showing damage, or failing basic safety criteria. That's the industry we're operating in.
At IQ Tyres, every part-worn passes our 6-point inspection.
- Minimum 3mm tread depth — not the 2mm legal minimum
- Sidewall integrity check for bulges, cuts, and cracking
- Internal inspection for hidden structural damage
- Repair history review — no compromised repairs
- Mandatory PART-WORN marking confirmed
- Pressure and balance check after fitting
If a tyre doesn't pass, it doesn't go on a car. Simple as that.
Transparent Pricing
No hidden extras. Fitting, balancing, and valve included in every price.
Price varies by size. Call to check current stock.
Every Fitting Includes
- Professional fitting
- Wheel balancing
- New valve fitted
- Safe tyre disposal
Quality Guarantee
- 3mm+ tread depth
- No sidewall damage
- No hidden repairs
- Fully road legal
Is a Part-Worn Tyre Right for You?
Honest advice, not a sales pitch. Here's when part-worn tyres make sense — and when they don't.
Good fit for part-worn
- Older vehicle: Your car isn't worth a £150 new tyre investment. A £30 part-worn gets you back on the road safely without overspending.
- MOT requirement: You need a tyre to pass an MOT and budget is tight. A properly inspected part-worn is a safe, legal solution.
- Short-term fix: You're selling the car in a few months. Spending £30 rather than £80 is a rational decision.
- Unexpected puncture: You need a quick, affordable replacement and don't want to wait for an order.
Consider new tyres instead
- High mileage driver: If you cover 15,000+ miles a year, the shorter lifespan of a part-worn means you'll be replacing it sooner. New tyres offer better value over time.
- Performance or prestige vehicle: High-performance cars demand maximum grip. The reduced tread depth of a part-worn compromises the handling characteristics these vehicles are designed for.
- Motorway driving: In heavy rain at 70mph, tread depth matters enormously for water evacuation. A new tyre gives you the full margin of safety.
- Front axle of FWD car: Front tyres do the steering and most of the braking. For front axle fitments on front-wheel-drive vehicles, new tyres are worth the extra cost.
Not sure which is right for your situation? Call us on 07904 962265 and we'll give you an honest recommendation — no pressure, no upsell.
What UK Law Requires
The Motor Vehicle Tyres (Safety) Regulations 1994 set out specific requirements for part-worn tyre sales in the UK. A legal part-worn tyre must have at least 2mm of tread depth across the full width of the tread pattern, show no bulges, cuts, or exposed cords, and be permanently marked with the word "PART-WORN" in letters at least 4mm high.
We go beyond the legal minimum. Our 3mm tread depth requirement gives you a meaningful safety margin above the 1.6mm legal limit — which means you're not buying a tyre that's already close to the point of replacement.
Every tyre we sell carries the mandatory PART-WORN marking. Every tyre has been physically inspected by a trained technician, not just visually assessed. That's not a marketing claim — it's how we operate.
Trusted by Mitcham drivers
Our part-worn stock turns over quickly because customers return. When people know the tyres have been properly checked, they come back.