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[Shackeng]

I have been told this week by a garage owner that in future only tyres supplied by the tyre fitting firm may be fitted. (Sounds convoluted, I hope you know what I mean.) If true, this means I will no longer be able to buy my tyres on line. Has anyone any knowledge of this? Also it would seem to make nonsense of having a puncture repaired.

[Kneepad]

I think they are talking rubbish, his way of getting you to buy tyres from him.

Tell him where to go.

[Kevin Wood]

I always buy them fitted online. Just choose a local fitter and turn up. No hassle at all, and if something goes wrong you have used the fitter arranged by blackboots / blackcircles, etc so the buck stops with them.

Kevin

[mrjimbo]

A lot of tyre dealers are doing this now.

I used to get all my slicks fitted at my local independant dealer with out any problems, order the tyres direct from Avon take the tyres to the dealer and collect them later in the day. Then all of a sudden they wouldn't do it anymore blaming H+S. Everywhere you look in there fitting bays there are notices stating they'll only fit tyres supplied by themselves.

[Shackeng]

I always buy them fitted online. Just choose a local fitter and turn up. No hassle at all, and if something goes wrong you have used the fitter arranged by blackboots / blackcircles, etc so the buck stops with them.

Kevin

Me too Kevin, this was not a tyre garage, just a back street guy, and sounded quite plausible. Had some fitted to SWMBO's Jazz a couple of weeks ago, ordered on-line as usual, delivered to the local garage, fitted no problem. Just hope it continues.

He also told me  a couple of other things which sounded far-fetched.

1. In Germany, you must have your car serviced by a franchised dealer, which has put small unfranchisees (write that down) out of business.

2.  In Germany, you must wear winter tyres in winter, don't know what dates that means,, and can only use them for three seasons no matter how low the mileage, and must produce invoices, if stopped, to prove same.

Can anyone over there shed light on these somewhat draconian rules, if they even exist. :-? :-? :-?

[Kevin Wood]

Me too Kevin, this was not a tyre garage, just a back street guy, and sounded quite plausible. Had some fitted to SWMBO's Jazz a couple of weeks ago, ordered on-line as usual, delivered to the local garage, fitted no problem. Just hope it continues.

The question is: Who's dictating what they can do? Insurers perhaps? A trade body?

He also told me  a couple of other things which sounded far-fetched.

1. In Germany, you must have your car serviced by a franchised dealer, which has put small unfranchisees (write that down) out of business.

2.  In Germany, you must wear winter tyres in winter, don't know what dates that means,, and can only use them for three seasons no matter how low the mileage, and must produce invoices, if stopped, to prove same.

Can anyone over there shed light on these somewhat draconian rules, if they even exist. :-? :-? :-?

Germany is draconian all over. Who would stand for that sort of nonsense here?

I visit Germany quite a lot and there's always one union or other marching through the city because someone's violated one of their "jobs for the boys" schemes.

You can't touch anything in your own home there. The regulations extend beyond safety critical gas and electrical work. Plumbing, fitting kitchens and bathrooms, etc. all "trade only" jobs and they inspect properties to ensure it's enforced.

Kevin

[aaronjb]

2.  In Germany, you must wear winter tyres in winter, don't know what dates that means,, and can only use them for three seasons no matter how low the mileage, and must produce invoices, if stopped, to prove same.

That rule exists in quite a lot of northern europe and scandinavia - anywhere that it snows a lot, regularly, every year - and is, IMHO, quite sensible actually. (IIRC it's something like October-March)

[Shackeng]

2.  In Germany, you must wear winter tyres in winter, don't know what dates that means,, and can only use them for three seasons no matter how low the mileage, and must produce invoices, if stopped, to prove same.

That rule exists in quite a lot of northern europe and scandinavia - anywhere that it snows a lot, regularly, every year - and is, IMHO, quite sensible actually. (IIRC it's something like October-March)

Can't argue with the requirement, its the three seasons' limit that seems unreasonable.

[aaronjb]

2.  In Germany, you must wear winter tyres in winter, don't know what dates that means,, and can only use them for three seasons no matter how low the mileage, and must produce invoices, if stopped, to prove same.

That rule exists in quite a lot of northern europe and scandinavia - anywhere that it snows a lot, regularly, every year - and is, IMHO, quite sensible actually. (IIRC it's something like October-March)

Can't argue with the requirement, its the three seasons' limit that seems unreasonable.

I forgot about that bit - to be fair I don't know if that's true or not.. but if you're using them for six months of the year (some months might actually be quite warm) I can easily see killing a set of winter tyres in that time..

[Shackeng]

2.  In Germany, you must wear winter tyres in winter, don't know what dates that means,, and can only use them for three seasons no matter how low the mileage, and must produce invoices, if stopped, to prove same.

That rule exists in quite a lot of northern europe and scandinavia - anywhere that it snows a lot, regularly, every year - and is, IMHO, quite sensible actually. (IIRC it's something like October-March)

Can't argue with the requirement, its the three seasons' limit that seems unreasonable.

I forgot about that bit - to be fair I don't know if that's true or not.. but if you're using them for six months of the year (some months might actually be quite warm) I can easily see killing a set of winter tyres in that time..

Agreed, but if SWMBO goes to the shopping mall twice a month in winter, say 180 miles in 6 months, total in 3 years only 540. I asked my informant what happens to all those 'part-worn' tyres, as we don't seem to see too many over here. He claims they all go to Eastern Europe, as he has tried to get some, and that is what he was told.
 Oh I forgot, he said the same 3 year rule applies to summer tyres as well!  Ouch!

[aaronjb]

I don't know about anyone else, but after three years I feel it's time to replace the tyres anyway The Bridgestone's on the MR2 have some tread left but sod all grip as they've heat cycled their last cycle now..

Then again I only expect tyres to last 12-18k at most (and the next set on the MR2 will probably live 6-10k at most), not 45k

[TheBoy]

Remember, tyres age

Also remember, your tyres now are deemed unsafe (or more accurately, not guaranteed to be safe) by the manufacturer after 5yrs

[Andy B]

Remember, tyres age

Also remember, your tyres now are deemed unsafe (or more accurately, not guaranteed to be safe) by the manufacturer after 5yrs

http://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/learn-share/buying-guide/when-should-i-change-my-tyres 

After five years or more in service, your tyres should be thoroughly inspected  at least once per year. If the need arises, follow the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer regarding replacing the original equipment tyres. As a precaution, if the tyres have not been replaced 10 years from their date of manufacture (see how to read a tyre sidewall), Michelin recommends replacing them with new tyres. Even if they appear to be in usable condition and have not worn down to the tread wear indicator

[Shackeng]

Remember, tyres age

Also remember, your tyres now are deemed unsafe (or more accurately, not guaranteed to be safe) by the manufacturer after 5yrs

http://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/learn-share/buying-guide/when-should-i-change-my-tyres 

After five years or more in service, your tyres should be thoroughly inspected  at least once per year. If the need arises, follow the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer regarding replacing the original equipment tyres. As a precaution, if the tyres have not been replaced 10 years from their date of manufacture (see how to read a tyre sidewall), Michelin recommends replacing them with new tyres. Even if they appear to be in usable condition and have not worn down to the tread wear indicator

That sounds very reasonable. I think the German rules are overkill.

[davethediver]

2.  In Germany, you must wear winter tyres in winter, don't know what dates that means,, and can only use them for three seasons no matter how low the mileage, and must produce invoices, if stopped, to prove same.

That rule exists in quite a lot of northern europe and scandinavia - anywhere that it snows a lot, regularly, every year - and is, IMHO, quite sensible actually. (IIRC it's something like October-March)

Can't argue with the requirement, its the three seasons' limit that seems unreasonable.

I forgot about that bit - to be fair I don't know if that's true or not.. but if you're using them for six months of the year (some months might actually be quite warm) I can easily see killing a set of winter tyres in that time..

Agreed, but if SWMBO goes to the shopping mall twice a month in winter, say 180 miles in 6 months, total in 3 years only 540. I asked my informant what happens to all those 'part-worn' tyres, as we don't seem to see too many over here. He claims they all go to Eastern Europe, as he has tried to get some, and that is what he was told.
 Oh I forgot, he said the same 3 year rule applies to summer tyres as well!  Ouch!

There is a place in elesmere port that sells these and also one in manchester