As the used car market continues to boom, consumers often focus on mileage, price, and exterior paint while overlooking a critical safety hazard—tires. Recently, consumer associations in multiple regions have received numerous complaints about severe tire wear, bulges, or even blowouts shortly after purchasing used cars. An investigation revealed that tire inspection and evaluation in used car transactions currently rely solely on the "conscience" of dealers, with no unified mandatory standards. As a result, a large number of hazardous "problem tires" enter the market, becoming latent "road killers." In response, industry experts are strongly advocating for the establishment and implementation of industry standards for tire quality inspections in used cars to ensure consumer safety.

The "Hidden Trap" Beneath the Gleaming Exterior: The Alarming State of Used Car Tires
"When buying the car, I only focused on the engine and interior. Who would have thought that in less than a month, I’d experience a sudden blowout on the highway? Just thinking about it still terrifies me!" Mr. Liu, a consumer from Chengdu, shared his harrowing experience with reporters. Undercover visits to multiple used car markets revealed that cases like Mr. Liu’s are not uncommon.
Many used cars, after being refurbished by dealers, boast a shiny, like-new appearance, but the four tires are often neglected. To cut costs, some unscrupulous dealers skip replacing problematic tires. Common issues include:
Excessive tread wear: The tire tread depth is below the legal minimum limit (1.6mm), severely reducing grip.
Severe aging and cracking: The rubber tires develop dense cracks due to prolonged use (over six years), losing their flexibility.
Sidewall bulges and repair damage: The tire sidewalls have subtle bulges or show signs of improper repairs.
These issues are difficult for the average consumer to detect but pose significant hidden dangers to driving safety.

Lack of Standards and Regulatory Challenges: Is Tire Safety Left to "Conscience"?
Why can problematic tires so easily enter the market? The core reason is the lack of standards.
Currently, China has yet to introduce unified mandatory national standards for the appraisal and quality assessment of used cars. Tire inspections primarily rely on the "Technical Specification for Used Vehicle Appraisal and Assessment" (GB/T 30323-2013), implemented in 2014. Although this recommended national standard lists tires as an "inspection item," it only requires noting "tire tread depth" and "tire condition," without mandating elimination criteria for tread depth limits or aging severity. This leaves assessment results heavily dependent on the appraiser’s personal experience and the dealer’s integrity.
"The current situation is that inspections rely solely on visual checks and touch. Better dealers might use a tread depth gauge to measure and inform you. Worse ones won’t even mention it," a used car appraiser with ten years of experience told reporters. "If the customer doesn’t ask, we generally won’t proactively recommend replacements, as it increases costs and affects the deal."
This reliance on "conscience" has made tires the most easily overlooked "gray area" in used car transactions.

The "Last Line of Defense" for Safety: Industry Calls for Mandatory Inspection Thresholds
In response to this widespread safety hazard, automotive industry organizations and safety experts are actively speaking out.
Experts from the China Automobile Dealers Association emphasized that tires are the "last line of defense" for safe vehicle operation, and their importance cannot be overstated. They呼吁that, based on the current "Technical Specification for Used Vehicle Appraisal and Assessment," more detailed and mandatory tire inspection standards should be established. For example:
Clear elimination criteria: Mandate that tires with tread depth below 1.6mm, tires older than six years, or those with bulges or severe cuts must be replaced before transaction or have risks prominently highlighted in the assessment report. Otherwise, quality certification should be denied.Introduce technical equipment: Encourage large used car trading platforms and certified stores to equip professional tire inspection devices that not only measure tread depth but also detect minor internal damage, providing scientific basis for assessment.Enhance information transparency: Clearly include tire inspection results (including production date, tread depth, damage details, etc.) in used car transaction contracts and assessment reports to ensure consumers’ right to know."Establishing standards isn’t about increasing industry costs but about building industry credibility and safeguarding consumers’ lives and property. This protects consumers and, in the long run, the healthy development of the entire used car industry," the expert emphasized.

When purchasing a used car, you’re not just buying a means of transportation but also a commitment to safety. For now, consumers must remain vigilant when selecting a used car, proactively request tire condition checks, and can even bring their own tread depth gauge for simple measurements. At the same time, we look forward to the early improvement of industry standards to add a solid "safety lock" to this commitment, ensuring every car owner can drive with peace of mind and return home safely.