Safe or not so safe?

[mugginn]

Hey folks,

Cleaning the car out over the weekend I happened to drop something under the car - while looking around I happened to spot a bit of a chunk out of the inside sidewall of the tyre along with a rather sharp and pointy part of the wheel.

Check out the attached picture! I've only had the car a few months now and I drive it very carefully - I've never curbed it or hit a pothole whatsoever, so I'm thinking this might be the previous owners doing!

What I want to know is, is it safe to drive and will it pass an MOT test (coming up next week).

I know this isn't the kind of thing to take a chance on, so as soon as possible i'll be running it up to a garage to get an expert opinion / advice - however I'd appreciate some quick thoughts!

Personally it looks to me like someones curbed it and a quick repair has been done by bending the alloy away from the tyre again, ugh - hope it's not an expensive one!

Thanks in advance!

[char]

I think any damage to the sidewall of a tyre that extends for 25mm or more is not safe and will fail a mot. Personally I wouldnt risk driving on it, better safe than sorry

[shshivji]

I think any damage to the sidewall of a tyre that extends for 25mm or more is not safe and will fail a mot. Personally I wouldnt risk driving on it, better safe than sorry

The mot rules are that it's only a failure if the cords are showing, seems ok from the picture tbh, what's it like under the cut??

Shak

[mugginn]

Thanks guys,

The cut doesn't seem that deep really - no cord that I can see anyway.

However, I would still rather be safe than sorry, I think I will get it replaced to be sure.

My concern now is does the wheel itself need replaced or repaired? There is a real sharp edge on the little bit thats bent out - I'm wondering is that okay? I imagine the previous owner got it repaired like this, i.e. bent away from the tyre but is it still safe?

Thanks for all the advice!

[skippy]

I would not risk it either, I don't like the look of that sharp jagged bit on the wheel. I would hope that the wheel is repairable in that condition. Tyre is debatable, but as discussed, depends on how far the damage extends.

[matt_j_smith]

For the sake of circa £100 for another tyre, just change it. Personally Id carry on but id be having a good look at the cut. you gotta think, during a good bit of cornering.. that will now be a weak spot.

as for the wheel - looks an easy cheap repair mate.

[mugginn]

Thanks guys -

Just back from my local garage. The guy actually thought both of the back tyres were badly worn and suggested a replacement despite the chunk - not to mention he spotted a nail in the other tyre!

So they moved the front two tyres to the back, and put a new set of Kuhmos on the front. Regarding the wheel, they just snapped off the sharp little bit on the wheel and sanded it down and assured me everything was safe and good to go!

Wasn't expecting to be £250 out of pocket (got a laser wheel alignment while I was there) but better to be safe than sorry.

Thanks for all the help guys, much appreciated!

[skippy]

Good stuff, you made the right decision, it would be playing on your mind all the time if you had not had the work done. Yes - £250 is a lot of cash, but definitely a wise move!

[wigit]

it used to be the way the tyres with the most grip went on the back but maybe i am just getting old

[skippy]

it used to be the way the tyres with the most grip went on the back but maybe i am just getting old

Yes - that is normally my rule of thumb, grippier tyres on the back.

[bluepeter]

Unless someone wants to correct me - I thought grippy tyres were only preferred on the back for rear wheel drive. Scirocco is front wheel drive with decent power/torque from the engine. Combine that with the general need for steering and the front is all important. There is not a great deal of weight on the rears of a Scirocco unless you have full four size passengers - even then the front loading is greater.

[Cuprabob]

The recommendation is to put the best (grippier) tyres on the rear, irrespective of whether the car is FWD, RWD or AWD.

The rationale is that the "average" driver can control understeer much easier than they can control oversteer.

Refer to item 6

http://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/learn-s ... -care-tips" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Not really relevant to members of car forums though as we're all driving gods:-)

The debate has been going on for years on whether this advice is best. All I say is fit them where it makes you happy:-)

[mugginn]

Hmm, I thought the same but just took the guys word for it.

Made sense to me to put the new ones on the rear - I'm sure it will be fine! (fingers crossed)