The Truth About Buying Used Tyres in the UAE

Cruising through UAE's heat and speed there's one part doing all the heavy lifting. 

Which is......

Your Tyres. 

Navigating the world of tyres in UAE can be a bit overwhelming. 

Many sources, many information making you doubt and question every decision. 

This could result in making the wrong decision, wasting both your time and money. 

Because we know life could be hectic and you have a lot on your plate already. 

We chose to dive into a topic often misinterpreted. 

And when covered often biased to serve a narrative. 

Of course you got what we are talking about from the title. 

But we won’t give you what you usually know, we will give you real-world insights. 

Not just if used tyres are recommended or not but also legal implications, how to detect and check your tyres if used and best ways to make sure that you got the tyre from a reliable source. 

We'll dive deep into critical insights about used tyres, stuff that could save you money , headache and ofcourse ultimately keep you as safe as a chick in its nest.

So prepare your cup of coffee or fav beverage, prop your feet and let's dive in.

UAE Rules: What You Need To Know About Used Tyres

First things first rules are rules. 

ESMA and RTA  sets certain legislations to acquire certain goals : 

• Improving Road Safety
• Protecting The Environment
• Reducing Energy Use
• Preventing Market Fraud

All with the goal of setting a standard for driving in the UAE. 

What are the Key Requirements to Know a Tyre is Eligible? 

Certificate of conformity 

Every tyre sold needs this as a testimony of complying with UAE's Specs. 

Heat Resistance

It can get really hot in the UAE, hence tyres need to be able to withstand……

Temperatures up to 50 degrees. 

This is  above the international standards which is typically 30 degrees. 

This is due to authorities' belief that this is a must for the tyres in such heat. 

Proper Storage 

Tyres have to be kept at a temperature below 25 degrees. 

They also need to be racked, not stacked to avoid….

Deformation or getting pressure points.

As this can damage the tyre before you are ready to roll on the road. 

Used Car Tyres Legislations 

Any use or sale of used tyres for passenger cars on public UAE roads is……

Prohibited by the Federal Traffic Law. 

Many would think it’s a grey area, but no sale or use on public roads is…

A violation of the law. 

Exceptions of Using Used Tyres 

Reusing tyres known as retreading is allowed for buses and trucks but….

They have to be retreaded by one of the UAE’s 25 approved manufacturers.

What about importing retreads? 

That’s banned too. 

Long story short, retreading tyres is allowed but only under these circumstances.

Mandatory Tyre Specs

A tyre must have clear specs including

• Date of Manufacture
• Size
• Load Rating
• Speed Rating
• Heat Resistance/Temperature Tolerance

Tread Depth Requirements 

For drivers of passenger cars a minimum of 1.6 mm tread depth is advised. 

Sometimes though due to safety and performance in wet conditions, …

This number might drop below 3mm. 

For medium vehicles, the minimum is 2.4 mm and for large ones like trucks it's 3.2 mm. 

Motorcycles require a minimum of 0.8 mm.

Tyre’s Age 

Tyres cannot be used beyond 5 years from their date of manufacture, regardless of tread left. 

To know the year you should look at the DOT code on the sidewall. 

The last four digits reveal the year and week of making. 

For instance 1222 means that the tyre was made in the 12th week of 2022. 

Age isn’t just a number when it comes to tyres. 

63% of car accidents in the UAE involved tyres older than 3 years. 

So make sure to check and look for your tyre’s age. 

Is it important to follow such rules?

Following such rules is paramount first and foremost for safety. 

These rules prevent catastrophes on the road. 

UAE ministry of interior reports highlighted that tyre-related failures are a huge factor in road accidents. 

Of course legal implications, as not complying with these rules is costly….

Including fines, black points that if added to 24 may suspend your license.

For example, using tyres with tread depths below minimum can cost up to AED 500 and 4 black points. 

If the tread depth is way lower than recommended, your car may be impounded for 7 days.

Using tyres that are older than 5 years could cost you up to AED 1,500 and 8 black points. 

Apart from just ditching the penalty, your car’s a huge investment, so proper tyres are….

Not a luxury, rather a necessity that could protect uneven wear and tear on suspension and other car components ensuring longevity and performance. 

These rules too contribute to the environment as they encourage disposal of old tyres and….

Discouraging the import and use of substandard, or poor tyres that can cause harm to us and the environment too! 

Is There A Benefit Buying Used Tyres? 

Let’s pivot to the used tyre market itself or the idea of purchasing second hand rubber. 

The initial appeal is strong. 

They're often cheaper, and there's a perception of being "greener" by reusing.

While it's possible to find used tyres originating from cars that have been racked, trade-ins, ex-rental cars, or even imports. 

The market for them in the UAE  faces the strict legal prohibition we discussed.

However, use of partially used tyres is allowed in certain cases but these tyres might be……

Inconsistent in quality.  

Standards aren’t always inspected. 

Long story short, it’s your responsibility as a buyer to look for these shortcomings. 

How to Play Tyre Detective (A Forensic Checklist) 

It’s important to inspect your tyres after purchase. 

And no it’s not by kicking the tyre. 

These are the things you need to check. 

Age

Rubber degrades with time even if the tread looks deep. 

Check the DOT code on your sidewall the same way enlisted above. 

Remember, per RTA, tyres must be replaced after five years. 

Tread Depth

Checking your tread isn’t just using the coin trick. 

You need to check all your tyre’s main grooves. 

You do this by using a proper tyre tread depth gauge. 

Visual Red Flags 

Are you watching closely? 

To make sure your tyre’s eligible, put on your goggles and look for ……

Bulges, cuts, and signs of previous punctures. 

Check your sidewalls for cracks, signs of weathering/Ozone cracks. 

We recommend that you gently prove the tyres with a plastic pick to see how…..

Deep those cracks go. 

A healthy sidewall is essential for tyre’s eligibility. 

Uneven wear patterns is a big no no too! 

It means bad alignment, suspension problems or incorrect pressure. 

Check the inner sidewall too as they have patches or repairs that you might’ve missed from the outside. 

Inspect the bead area ( the edge sealing against the wheel rim) for wear and tear. 

Look and feel for any bumps or places where the layers seem to be splitting. 

This could indicate internal damage like ply separation.

If possible, and if you have the equipment, a run-out test can reveal casing issues.

A proper check isn't just a glance; it's a sort of forensic test, way beyond just kicking the tyre.

The Million Dirham Question: New vs. Used

Final Thought: Is Buying Used Tyres a Smart Move or a Costly Mistake in the UAE?

Given the strict UAE regulations, the extreme climate, and all the implications we've just discussed, what do you think?

Is buying used tyres for your passenger car on public roads a smart move, or potentially a very costly and dangerous mistake?

Considering everything, for passenger cars, sticking to new, ESMA-approved tyres is the safest, most legally compliant, and often, the most economical choice in the long run.

It’s essential to get new tyres for longevity , cost efficiency and even to reuse. 

Hence, we advise you always to get new approved high  quality tyres. 

Where to Get New High-Quality Tyres? 

At tyresonline.ae we’ve got a list of high quality premium tyre brands. 

Not 10 or 20, but 60+ authorized brands. 

Multiple filter options by tyre, by size, by brand and more. 

All for your convenience and comfort. 

Let alone the deals and promotions all-year round. 

So if you’re in the UAE and need new tyres visit Tyresonline.ae. 

Not sure where to start or how to purchase? 

Our team of experts are ready to help you anytime! 

Written by : Rageh