A tyre company has been fined nearly £2,000 as part of an ongoing crackdown by Brent Trading Standards on the sale of illegal tyres.
On 7 February, 5 Star & Services Limited and its director Mr Tamim Shiraz were together ordered to pay a total of £1,960 by Willesden Magistrates’ Court.
The charge was brought after Mr Shiraz’s business fitted a part-worn tyre (costing £25) which was below the legal standard, to a wheel supplied by an undercover Trading Standards officer – and for offering for sale a further supply of illegal tyres.
Cllr Tom Miller, Brent Council’s cabinet member for trading standards, described tyre fitters who are willing to risk safety by selling illegal part-worn tyres as ‘completely unacceptable’.
In October 2016, Brent and Harrow Trading Standards’ officers warned motorists that trying to save money by buying second hand, or part-worn tyres could ‘end up costing you your life’.
Over the summer, officers had bought second hand tyres from 12 different traders around Brent and Harrow – only two of which met legally acceptable standards. At least six had defects that could pose a serious safety risk.
Cllr Tom Miller said: “It is completely unacceptable for tyre fitters to be taking shortcuts with part-worn tyres, putting drivers, their passengers and other innocent members of the public at risk in order to maximise profits.
“If handled properly, part-worn tyres are perfectly legal and safe. But I would ask anyone thinking of buying a (part-worn) tyre to check it carefully before buying, looking out for cracks, tears, the state of the tread and of course that it is properly marked as a part-worn tyre before handing over the cash.
“It’s really important that businesses follow the advice they are given as officers carry out follow up spot checks, and (we) will take action when traders are found to be ignoring warnings and breaching the law.”
16 February 2017