I suffered a blow-out on a motorway heading back home to Chester from Scotland. It was near Glasgow and I was without a spare so called the RAC who took me to a 24-hr tyre place. They put a new tyre on and I then drove home with my girlfriend the 230-odd miles back home. Used the car to drive a few miles the following day, then on the second day I made a point of looking at all my tryes and found an obvious bulge at least 50p-size in the outer tyre wall of the new tyre. It gives under pressure. I had this checked at a local garage who confirmed that the tyre could fail at any time and should be replaced. I phoned the garage who fitted the tyre - they told me I have to bring the tyre back so they can check whether it is manufacturing fault or pothole damage. However I am pretty sure I did not hit any obvious potholes sufficient to cause such damage to a new tyre.

What I want to know is: is it at all likely that this damage could have been done since I bought the tyre after driving around 250miles at no more than 75mph without hitting any obvious bumps or potholes in the road (or any kerbs) at any significant speed? I feel that this is a manufacturing fault. Secondly, how can I be sure that, when I return the tyre, that they will not just tell me it is OK and therefore refuse replacement/refund - do I need written statement from another garage that it is faulty before sending the tyre? The other problem is I cannot personally return the tyre without replacing it at a local garage as it is not safe to drive with at all, let alone all the way to Glasgow. I could send the tyre but either way this costs me even more money without any faith that I will be treated fairly by the garage in question, or the manufacturer.

Has anyone else had this sort of problem so soon after buying a new tyre? Its not just the money involved (just over £100 for tyre + any cost of returning it) but also the fact I feel that these people have potentially put my and my girlfriend's life in danger by fitting a tyre with this sort of fault. Any thoughts from anybody who has experienced something similar would be gratefully received.