Cracked Tyres

[DarceyK123]

Just got my 3 year old car back from its first MOT.

It passed as you would have expected but I've just noticed on 'Advisories'
That all four tyres are cracked. What does this mean and does it occur?

[douglas9401]

It means that the topmost layers of the sidewalls are showing signs of age and wear. Not too desperate but worth keeping an eye on.
They may just be coming to the end of their useful life

[DarceyK123]

That's what's puzzling me. Both hubby and I live and work near London and I work more and more from home, the car hardly gets used, it has 7000k from new (3 years) on the clock,

[gingejbee]

...usually happens with low mileage cars (where age affects the rubber before distance-travelled wears them out) and particularly if left out 24/7 where strong sunlight (where's that? I hear!) can affect the outer sidewalls.

[gingejbee]

...I typed my answer BEFORE I saw your reply, Darcey.....

[douglas9401]

Constant flexing in all weathers and temperatures takes a toll.

[sunny-dave]

Not moving for days (weeks?) on end doesn't help either - the same part of the wall just sits in a flexed and load-bearing state for the prolonged period.

[DarceyK123]

Ah, thanks both, not a lot I can do then I suppose.

[DarceyK123]

Ha ha Ginge, I believe you! LoL!

[ToraToraTora]

yep cracking occurs when the car is left for long periods, the bit at the bottom is in the same position for weeks. Then you use it and there is a different bit at the bottom, eventually the whole tyre is cracked. Not usually a disaster really that's why it's an advisory.

[Old_Geezer]

Seems that tyres are all that they're cracked up to be, then.