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What Product Warranties Can
You Expect When You Buy Tyres?
It is always worth checking what product warranties
are included when you buy a set of tyres as these can vary
substantially between tyre brands and tyre dealers. Reputable
tyre manufacturers and dealers though will offer a warranty
protecting consumers against manufacturing defects. This,
however, will not usually cover the driver against accidental
damage caused by kerbing, punctures, misalignment etc.
Typically, if you return a tyre to the depot
you bought it from, the procedure you will have to undergo
is likely to be something like this:
- Firstly the damaged/suspect tyre will usually be checked
by the dealer for any obvious faults or signs of damage.
If the damage is clearly caused by normal road use, the
tyre will be returned to the customer
- If it is not clear why the tyre has failed, then warranty
paperwork will be completed, and the tyre will be sent back
to the manufacturer for their adjudication. This process
can take several weeks and is highly inconvenient for customers
who have genuinely suffered from a tyre manufacturing defect.
However, it is the only way the manufacturers can protect
themselves against unscrupulous customers making frivolous
claims .
- At this point if a new tyre is required then the customer
will be asked to purchase it. If the manufacturer does find
any manufacturing faults they tend to offer a credit based
on the remaining tread left on the tyre and is paid back
through the tyre retailer.
- If no manufacturing faults are found (i.e it was not faulty
goods) no credit is issued and the tyre can be returned
if necessary should the consumer wish the tyre to undergo
further tests. The manufacturer will write to both the retailer
and customer with their findings.
Although not in widespread use some tyre manufacturers
and some dealers do offer warranties covering accidental damage
caused in the course of normal driving and it is worth looking
out for dealers offering these benefits.
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