Is it acceptable for a dealer to sell a car with different tyres fitted?
My friend has just purchased a 2024 Ford Kuga ST Line PHEV, with just under 10k miles from a Ford Dealer. It has been found the two rear tyres are of two seperate brands to the front tyres. In effect the vehicle has three different brands of tyres.
Also, when she went to pick the car up from the dealer at the arranged time and date, she could not collect the car as the dealer had SORN'd the Kuga and was not able to tax it (the dealer's words). Consequently, she had to wait a further two days for the dealer to tax and then deliver the car to her home address. Is it common for the Ford Kuga to go through tyres at this low mileage? Do you know why dealers would SORN a vehicle, even when a customer has paid a deposit and agreed to purchase the car with cash?
Also, when she went to pick the car up from the dealer at the arranged time and date, she could not collect the car as the dealer had SORN'd the Kuga and was not able to tax it (the dealer's words). Consequently, she had to wait a further two days for the dealer to tax and then deliver the car to her home address. Is it common for the Ford Kuga to go through tyres at this low mileage? Do you know why dealers would SORN a vehicle, even when a customer has paid a deposit and agreed to purchase the car with cash?
Asked on 10 July 2025 by Trebor500
Answered by
David Ross
Tyres of differing brands on the same axle is not necessarily an issue as long as the tyres are of the same size, specification and type. If the tyres were replaced due to wear we would have expected both to wear out at a similar rate and have been replaced at the same time, so the fact that they are two different brands would suggest that they are the result of punctures.
As for the vehicle being SORNed, this is not an uncommon practice for dealers with used vehicles, as this is done to avoid registering the car in the dealer's name and adding another previous owner to the V5/C, and was likely done when the vehicle was first purchased by the dealer from the previous owner.
As for the vehicle being SORNed, this is not an uncommon practice for dealers with used vehicles, as this is done to avoid registering the car in the dealer's name and adding another previous owner to the V5/C, and was likely done when the vehicle was first purchased by the dealer from the previous owner.
Tags:
wheels and tyres
used cars
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