Staff at four Bury garages have been given warnings concerning an inspection that found tyres were being left in dangerous states.
Staff from Bury Trading Standards checked up on 10 garages in the Borough, checking that the repairs for damaged car tyres were being done correctly. They discovered that 4 in 10 were not being carried out in accordance with the required standards. In the Manchester area a staggering 1/3 of 108 garages surveyed were said to ‘prompt concern’.
Inspectors found that tyres were being repaired from the outside or simply patched up instead of plugged, thus allowing water to enter the tyre. This can cause tyres to burst if the vehicle is travelling at high speeds, potentially endangering lives.
Inspectors are giving out written guidance and advice to mechanics on meeting the required standards. Bury Trading Standards Manager, Peter Jagger, ensures that follow ups on the survey will be conducted making sure that no one is putting the lives of the public at risk.
Graeme Levy, a spokesman for Greater Manchester Trading Standards, said that the decision to either repair or replace a punctured tyre is down to the motorist, but adds that the motorist should be able to trust that the repairs are done safely and correctly.
Bury Trading Standards will continue to work with garages to improve safety measures and they will take action on those that ignore their advice and ultimately risk lives.
If you are concerned about any repair work done to your car you should contact Consumer Direct on: 08454040506.