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My tyres are cracked and need replaced at 22,000 miles. Am I owed compensation from the tyre supplier?

I have a three-year-old Volkswagen Tiguan running on 235/55 R18 100V Hankook tyres. I've noticed that after just over 22,000 miles, all four tyres have started to split where the tread meets the sidewall. Surely this can't just be age; there's substantial tread on all tyres and no unevenness of wear. I realise they must be changed but feel someone should contribute towards replacement. Is it the garage that supplied the tyres and service the car or Hankook?

Asked on 6 May 2021 by Peter Milloy

Answered by Georgia Petrie
It’s hard to provide an exact figure as your tyre’s lifespan will vary depending on your driving technique, how often you drive the car, where it is parked most regularly, the type of roads you drive on, how many miles you drive per year and the quality of the tyre itself. However, a general recommendation is that your tyres are changed every 20,000 miles or every 10 years. Cracks are also quite a common issue that can be caused by leaving your car parked for long periods of time or in direct sunlight. The rubber that your tyres are made from is naturally quite pliable, providing the material with a certain amount of elasticity. When you drive your car, the chemical that is applied to make the material even more elastic is released and lubricates your tyres. Therefore, when the vehicle is parked for an extended period of time, the tyres can dry out more quickly, causing cracks to appear. The rubber also loses this elasticity as the tyre ages and if it’s regularly subjected to UV rays. With all that in mind, I'm not sure you'll have any luck seeking compensation but it doesn't hurt to ask.
Tags: tyres
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